Soft, Summer Style

It's just about here: summertime. Time to stash away all those heavier clothes in place of something light. How about sleeveless tops, lightweight fabrics and things that won't cling to you when the temperatures begin to climb?

Here are some of our suggestions from Soft Surroundings.com to help ease your wardrobe into summer gracefully:

LA ROSA TEE

A pretty, sleeveless shirt that crosses over in front and falls gently. Will pair well with your favorite skirt, shorts or pants, and can be casual or dressy.

SNAPPY TEE

This cute tee has a partial sleeve and snaps down the front. Perfect for those of you who are nursing, or just like the option of having a snap or two open for ventilation.

GAUZE PULLOVER

For those of you who like a little more coverage, here's a great option. This top has long sleeves that can be rolled up, and is made of an airy, breathable gauze so it will keep you cool.

Well, I'm about ready to go get started on my own wardrobe - being pregnant this time of year can be challenging, but I've got a few ideas for keeping cool and looking good. More about those another time...I'm off to do some shopping!

A free email account that helps support a good cause

I recently heard about BreastCancerMail.com -- a new site and free email service that just launched. A small ad (text-based) is placed at the top of each email (similar Yahoo or others that have text-based ads) that you send.

The advertising money made from these go towards helping to fight Breast Cancer. 100% of the proceeds made on the site are donated to breastcancer.org. What a great way to help win the fight against breast cancer!

Check it out on BreastCancerMail.com.

Source: www.mommieswithstyle.com

Plan Now for Recording Your Summer Pictures

Every year it happens. You take tons of pictures of the kids through spring and summer on your fab new digital camera. Then you download them to your computer - maybe. Then you mean to have them printed, and just forget. By the time fall rolls around and you're ready to put them into nice little photo albums, well, you just don't have any prints. Hopefully they're organized on your computer by age and/or by child so that you can quickly access the ones you want to send, print, or have made into your card for the holidays.

Here's a gentle reminder to plan ahead. We're all moving at the speed of light these days, it seems, and if we don't do things when we're thinking about them, well, forget it! So while you're thinking about it, go ahead and get a jump start on having your prints made, or at least start making plans to organize your pictures. Then get out there and capture the moment! Here is a little incentive from Shutterfly.com.

Free Shipping on Orders of $15 or more - use coupon code SH01-FREE

My Favorite Summer Sandals

I just got a great pair of summer sandals that I adore!


Aerosoles - First Pace Sandals They're fun, with a great flower on top and they're super comfortable, with that wonderful Aerosoles comfort and support. Great for running around after the kids or for walking tours on your next vacation. Check them out!

Just Listen...

Just take a moment to listen, to your self, to your family, to your life. What will you hear? Chaos and inner chatter? Or harmony and things running smoothly along? Whatever it is you'll hear, take the time out to just stop and listen to it.

I was reminded this week, with the passing of a dear aunt, how precious our lives are and how short our time here is. All too often I find myself getting so caught up in the day to day, the chaos, the doing rather than the being, that I forget. Forget to take time out to really hear what my husband is saying. To really hear my daughter when she asks me a question. To really hear my inner voice guiding me towards my goals. Why is it so easy to rush past things without really listening?

There is a poem making it's way around the internet called "Slow Dance" that was written by a young, terminally ill girl. It, too, has served as a reminder to slow down and savor each day, to enjoy the simple things in life such as time with friends and family. Things we all too often take for granted.

As mothers, we find ourselves at the center of our families, juggling the cooking, housework, cleaning, organzing, meal preparation, shopping, homework, schedules and many more duties. It's challenging to find time to just sit and be with our thoughts, or to sit and be with a friend who needs us. Let's all try to take some time out this week and make time for ourselves. Even if it's close to impossible, even if it's just 5 minutes while sitting in traffic. Just a few minutes to really connect with who we are and what's important to us. It will enrich our day, and if we do it continually, it will enrich our lives. Being more connected, more grounded and feeling in touch with those we love will strengthen our relationships and give our lives more meaning. We'll all be better off for it. *Namaste!

*I honor that place in you where the whole Universe resides. And when I am in that place in me and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us.

Style for A Changing Body

We moms know that when you're in the throes of the childbearing years, your size can vary quite a bit. You'll go from your "normal" size through many sizes in the 9 months it takes to have a baby, then post-partum your size will go back down, although it may take a while. And then again, it may not get to where you were before. If you have more than one child, you start the cycle all over agin. And if you have small children around, chances are you'll find yourself eating things you wouldn't normally eat (chicken nuggets, birthday cake, cookies, you name it). So who knows what size you'll be on any given day during this phase of life. It pays to have a well-organized closet so you know just what to reach for in the morning, as well as to have a few garments that will accomodate your growing/shrinking shape without looking frumpy. Here are a couple of my suggestions:




Tunic tops - these are a little longer than t-shirts and work well paired with jeans, pants or skirts to create a slimming look. Steer clear of those with a seam or gathers just under the bust unless you're pregnant and want to announce it. Tunics are big this season and you can find them in a myriad of prints, solids and colors. Embroidered tunics are pretty for the summer.

Pants that give - Here's where an elastic waist can make all the difference. I wore many pairs of regular (read: non-maternity) elastic waist pants all through my pregnancy as well as postpartum and felt very comfortable. Those with a bit of lycra will hold their shape while being very forgiving

Wear Layers - Wearing an open cardigan, jacket or long overshirt with a t-shirt underneath can be a great look for changing shapes. And if you're nursing, it gives you a little more coverage while providing some ventilation.

One thing to remember is that accessories go a long way to help you feel pulled together. A pretty necklace, great earrings or a couple of nice bracelets can really set off an outfit and will give you a more polished look. And accessories can be nice, inexpensive little indulgences to lift your spirits without breaking the bank.

Some of my personal favorites during times of fluctuating weight are a coordinating t-shirt with a matching (or at least coordinating) long overshirt and a pair of elastic waist pants. Also, I enjoy wearing peasant tops and tunics in pretty floral prints. I'd love to hear what some of your favorites are.

Too Much Is Never Enough...

When it comes to moisturizer, that is. Your face is exposed to many things throughout the day - sun, wind, pollution, make-up - that it's nice to treat it well at times. Celestial Skin Moisturizerfrom LUSH Costmetics is a great way to do just that. This lovely, effective moisturizer is great for sensitive skin, with a lovely but gentle fragrance of orchid and vanilla. LUSH's cosmetics are mixed in small batches using only fresh, natural ingredients that sound good enough to eat. Almond milk is a wonderful skin conditioner; glycerin softens your skin and the cocoa butter keeps it moisturized all day or night. What more could your skin ask for?

Smudge and smear-proof for only a buck!

Warmer weather is here, and with that in mind, there are a few things to think about when it comes to your make-up. Many moms find themselves around water a whole lot more - the pool, the lake over Memorial Day weekend, the water park, the beach... and this means different make-up needs. Here is a great waterproof mascara from e.l.f., which stands for eyes, lips, face, and it's only $1! This mascara is smudge and smear-proof, and is designed to be applied either wet or dry - so you can re-apply poolside without toweling off first!

All of e.l.f.'s products carry the $1 price tag, and that makes them far more affordable than even the cheapest drug store brand. It's hard to believe that you can actually get good quality makeup for only a buck, but believe it. And at $1 a pop, you might want to keep a stash in your car, the pool bag, your work-out bag...

Another thing I really like about this company is that they do not test their products on animals. Give 'em a try! You won't be disappointed.

Clothes Call

In need of some new clothes? Tired of what you have, or don't have much that fits you after just having a baby? Well, call in the troops and ask them to bring clothes. Their cast-offs, that is. Gather together a group of your best mommy pals who probably have lots of clothes they can no longer wear, or would like to pass on, and have a clothes swap! What better resource to tap into that your friends who have been pregnant, gained and lost weight, and probably have as much of a need (or desire) as you do for a few new things. A clothes-swap can be lots of fun and won't break the bank.

The premise is this: First, set a date and time, then decide on a location (someone's home works best). Then you and your friends each bring a bag of clothes you no longer want, and you'll each go home with some new threads.

To get started, comb your closet for things that are too big, too tight or things that just don't work for you anymore (you can even include shoes and jewelry). Make sure items are clean and in good repair. Then invite your friends to do the same. It can be a party! You can play dress up for each other, and give each other fashion advice. Have some wine, some non-alcoholic beverages and some snacks, put on some good music, and start swapping! It's best to have a method to the madness, so start with each person selecting 1 thing each, then another until everyone has a designated number of items (5, for example). Then it's wide open! If 2 people want the same item, take a vote. Have each woman try the item on and you can all decide (tactfully, of course) who it works better for. Then help the other woman find something to replace it.

What better than to have a mom's get-together and give your wardrobe a boost at the same time?

Organizing Take-Out Menus

TAKE OUT MENU ORGANIZER
Staying organized is a daily challenge when you're a mom. Things are always getting misplaced and just when you think you have a system down, someone goes and moves something, never to be found again. So when you go to find that menu from your favorite little pizza delivery place, are you sure you'll be able to find it? Make sure by organizing your take-out menus in this great little menu organizer. There's room for 60 menus, plus it comes with a pad for group ordering, stickers so you can rate the restaurants, and tabs so you don't confuse pizza with Thai (unless, of couse, they serve both). So when that craving comes on for Tom Yum soup you know just where to look!

Swimsuits and Summertime

Well it's almost that time of year again, when the kids get out of school and thoughts turn to summer vacations and afternoons spent by the pool with the kids. I know I have plans to spend many an afternoon lounging by the kiddie pool, letting my toddler indulge her passion for water play. It's one place where I don't have to work too hard to keep her entertained, and I love just sitting by the pool and soaking up the sun.

We moms may have it easy poolside, but shopping for a swimsuit early in the season can be a nightmare! In the fitting room with pasty white skin that's been covered up all winter, and kids climbing all over you while you glance at your reflection under yucky fluorescent lights are enough to send most people running! This is where the ease of shopping online can be a big plus. The internet is a great place to see many different styles, cuts and colors of swimsuits and order at the click of a button. You can also try them on in the convenience of your own home (sans the fluorescents) without anyone else around.

Gap.com has a great selection of swimsuit styles just perfect for this summer. And they have a nice little swimfinder that helps you decide which style is best for your body, and build your own combination. Personally, I favor the one piece, but also love the tankinis. These are perfect for chasing the little ones around. And with their selection of colors, prints and patterns, you're sure to find one you like. And you don't even have to wait in line. Now that's what I call easy.

Find your perfect swim suit at gap.com!

Up All Night

Sleep deprivation - it’s a cruel thing anytime in your life, but can be especially challenging when you have babies or small children to care for. To top it all off, to be suffering from a cold or allergies (which is why you can’t sleep in the first place) just makes it worse. And to think what you look like once you step out of the house, well, it’s not pretty.

Fortunately there are a few tricks to help us camouflage the telltale signs of a sleepless night. To start with, use a good moisturizer on your face, along with an eye cream. This will plump up your skin and hide a few wrinkles. Follow that with a good (not too thick) concealer under the eyes and around the nose, if you’ve been up all night with a box of tissues. Then use a tinted moisturizer in place on foundation, like this one from Laura Mercier. It’s light and contains a sunscreen, so even if you’re at the park with the kids all day, your face will be protected from signs of premature aging. And we all know that premature aging is not something we want to think about.

Follow up with a pretty blush in a bright but soft berry tone, a little mascara and a pretty shade of lipgloss. If you’re feeling glamorous in your sleep-deprived state you can dab on a shimmery powder for a nice glow. That’s sure to make you feel better - or at least look like you feel better!

Hope you find time for a nap!

Our Mothers, Ourselves

Have you ever noticed how the way your mother lived her life has affected how you live yours? Did your mother fuss over her appearance, taking time to put together just the right outfit before leaving the house, or did she just throw on whatever she could find without worrying whether or not it was flattering? Was your mother stressed out with little time for you, or was she organized and relaxed? Did you hope to be just like her when you grew up? Well, guess what! Now it’s your turn to be the role model!

As women of the new millennium, so many things have changed since our mothers were raising us. In many ways we have things a whole lot easier. We have dishwashers, convenience foods, online shopping and access to style tips and trends at the click of a mouse. Many of us also have husbands who are willing to do their fair share around the house (much more so than half a century ago, at least), as well as support us in our quest to lead a balanced, fulfilled life. But at the same time, we have more demands on our time; racing our kids to ballet, soccer, and t-ball, while still having a healthy dinner on the table, keeping the house clean, running our own businesses… This leaves little time for exercise, staying in touch with friends, finding meaningful gifts for those we care about, and being able to find a sense of balance in our lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “crazy” whirlwind of life’s demands and the “doing” that we often forget the “being” aspect that keeps us centered, grounded and in touch with ourselves those around us. If we remember that crazy vs. calm is a choice we make, and that we have some control over how we perceive our lives, we can choose to live at a pace that is comfortable, not chaotic, for us. This will reflect positively on our families, our friends and on our lives. And this can go a long way to setting a good example for our children. We don’t want them going through their days feeling stressed, chaotic and disorganized, do we?

One Chic Mama is here to help. We’re here to offer suggestions for everything from finding balance in your life to quick makeup tips and how to look good when you’ve had no sleep! We’ll show you clothing that’s perfect for busy lives with children, makeup that will get you through the day looking your best, and suggestions for managing clutter in your home. As well as some other wonderful pointers, tips and hints that will help your lives seem a little less stressful. Because we are role models, like it or not, and the more positive signals we can send to our children, the better. The more we take care of ourselves, the more our families will feel taken care of as well. And when we look good and feel good, life is just better all the way around!