Snuggly New PJ's

I love putting on my pj's at the end of the day and curling up with a good book, a new magazine, or just watching a movie. There's something so comforting about putting on pajamas that helps me shake of the stress of the day and go into relaxation mode.

I also love having a nice new pair of pj's that are soft and snuggly, so I got excited when I saw these Floral Flannel Pajamas from Crazy for Bargains. They're a 3 piece set (top, pants and a matching camisole) made from a pretty floral cotton flannel that will undoubtedly get softer the more they're washed. At $19.99, they're a real steal! Use coupon code FRSPSAS for free shipping on any order over $50 through the month of October. Heck, you can stock up on pj's for the whole family at that price. I'll say that's a bargain!

Peek-A-BOO!

I just found out there may be a pumpkin shortage this year! Apparently in the midwest the lack of rain has really reduced the pumpkin crop, and has driven prices up to almost double what they were last year. Farmers who own pumpkin patches are having to truck in pumpkins from other areas so their customers will have something to "pick". So if you find yourself in a quandry and need something for Halloween, or just don't want to mess with carving pumpkins this year, here are a couple of alternatives that may not be as fun as carving a jack-o-lantern, but can ensure that your porch will be decked out in style for trick-or-treaters.

The Pumpkin Pal Pail is handmade by folk artists from an old sap bucket. A few bumps or nail holes are evidence of his rustic charm. Just place a lit candle inside and he's as good as a hand-carved jack-o-lantern. With his fetching grin he's sure to attract neighboring ghouls and goblins.

Or try the Pumpkins on a Stick. These hand painted recycled metal jack o’ lanterns perch on top of a white picket stake, ready to scare up a good time for all who dare to enter your yard. Balance a tealight candle inside, and let the little pumpkin head shed its spooky light on your front porch. Sold as a set of 2.

All Through the House

Now that chillier weather is near, you might be thinking of a good way to keep your toes warm on frosty mornings. These cute and snuggly sock monkey slippers will do just that. Made from washable cotton, and perfect for someone who still enjoys giggling, they're just the thing for that morning walk to get the newspaper, or just to the kitchen to get your first cup of coffee. Why let the kids have all the fun? Now you can keep them entertained while your feet stay cozy, and you can all start the day off in a silly and fun way. Who knows, maybe they'll get out of bed on time just to see mommy's silly slippers!

Where It All Began...

Ok, moms. This is where the whole idea for "One Chic Mama" was conceived. Here I am at 36 weeks pregnant (to the day!) and hitting that "I'm feeling frumpy" stage already. I've been good about trying to dress for my shape (hard to work around a basketball belly sometimes, but I've got it down!), applying make-up diligently and keeping my hair neatly pulled back (I'm due for some color, but I'm not going to let that get me down). I think the whole feeling of frumpy comes from just feeling out of control of my body. I'm willing to relent to the fact that my body is doing the most amazing thing EVER - creating a baby - and that it's a small price to pay for creating such a wonderful end result. But day in and day out, it's getting tough, especially when I think that any day now it could happen, yet it could still be a month away (or more - yikes!). So what's a mama-to-be to do?

Go with the flow. Just relax and let that pregnancy glow work wonders for your appearance. People have been so complimentary of me lately, and I have to wonder sometimes if they're just being nice. But I will admit that when I talk about this little being that will soon arrive, I get a wonderful glow of joy and excitement! And I think it really does a lot to think about the positive aspects of this whole journey, rather than to focus on how big or how sluggish I'm feeling.

And the hardest part is yet to come. I'm not talking about the labor - yes, that's very hard, especially if I get my wish to have a natural childbirth again (I had such a great first experience). But in the days following, after arriving home from the hospital, trying to find a state of normalcy, some sort of routine, while surviving on no more than 2 hours of sleep at at a time. And keeping our toddler's schedule somewhat intact. It's easy to find time for a shower now, a little make-up, some downtime. Once our new arrival has made his appearance, that will all be out the window. At least for a little while. That is when it's really going to be a challenge to get dressed in anything that matches, let alone looks flattering. Or find time to apply any make-up. Or think about anything other than, "how long before he has to be fed again?" I hope through all this to discover many more wonderful tips and ideas to help new moms ease into the transition of their new lives. I'd love to hear how you all managed!

Save at the Gap

If you're in need of a good basic top to boost your wardrobe and to throw on quickly to get to the carpool line, try this pretty Long Sleeved Ballet Neck Sweater from the Gap. Crafted from a soft fine-guage knit that's a cotton/cashmere blend, this versatile top has long, raglan sleeves, a longer length (yes - finally!), ribbed cuffs and waistband. Available in chocolate brown, this is a wonderful transitional sweater to pair with your favorite jeans or leggings.

Or give this super-soft, luxurious cashmere tee a try. With four luscious shades ranging from baby pink to coral, chocolate to black, you can choose one that works best with your wardrobe - or choose them all! With long sleeves, a crew neck and exposed seams, this tee will look great with a pair of sweatpants (but you wouldn't do that, would you?) or dress it up with a pencil skirt for a classic look. Either way you win!

Get free shipping on your order over $100. Just enter code FREE100 at checkout.

A Few Beauty Updates For Fall

Now that fall is officially here, it's time to go through your make-up bag and sort through what's working and what needs to be replaced. It's also a great time to update your stash of beauty products that can shave some time off your routine or do double-duty as two (or three, or more!) products in one. Here are a few of my top picks:

These Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Wipes from the Body Shop are great for removing make-up in a flash. Keep them in your gym bag, your make-up bag, or your overnight kit for when you need to sweep away the day's make-up and impurities. They're convenient and multipurpose, deeply cleansing the skin, helping to unclog pores and removing excess oils, make-up and impurities, while toning, in one simple step. Plus, they're infused with tea tree oil for an invigorating lift. 25 to a pack.

Aveda Petal Essence Triple Accent Pencil For maximum versatility—and maximum ease—this double-ended jumbo pencil works on eyes, cheeks and lips. Two formulas, for triple impact: silky on eyes; creamy and long-wearing on lips; color-true on cheeks. And respectful of the Earth, with FSC-certified wood and rich plant ingredients. Now that's what I call multi-tasking!

Wow, talk about great for the mom on the go, Philosophy's Amazing Grace Bath, Shampoo and Shower Gel does triple-duty as a bath, shampoo and shower gel in one. This gel carries on the lovely Philosophy Grace scent and is a subtle way to wear a wonderful fragrance. Plus, it earned Sephora's "Best Of" Award for 2006. It must be good!

If The Shoe Fits...

...then buy it in several colors! Especially if they're from the great new online shoe store at Smart Bargains. Check out their new site and enter for a chance to win a free pair of shoes, or better yet, shoes for a year!

Fall is on it's way in, which means it's time to bid adieu to sandals and flip-flops and add some fabulously chic shoes to your wardrobe, from trendy ankle boots to must-have leather platform pumps & more. If they come from Smart Bargains, you'll be saving up to 50% off the retail price, so go ahead and get a few pairs. If you purchase before October 3, you'll get a $15 credit towards your next purchase. So start shopping. Because there's no such thing as too many pairs of shoes!

In The Nude

Get Naked! Your face, that it. The hot trend in makeup this fall is to strip down to the bare essentials and to wear make-up that creates a natural, harmonious look. This is a great thing for us busy mamas - there is a little more room for error when applying colors that look natural and blend in than there is for deeper, more dramatic shades. So when there's a little one tugging at our arm, or we only have five minutes (or less!) for make-up in the morning, this can be important.

Jo Strettell, Sephora's make-up artist, gives a few tips for creating a flawless, natural look. Jo says, "The secret to scoring natural looking skin is to apply minimal product. On photo shoots, my biggest trick is to start off with a clean, well-moisturized face, so makeup slides on easily and looks fresh longer." She mentions that it's also important to use the proper tools to apply make-up just where you want it and to control how thick it goes on. She suggests using a foundation brush to even your complexion and to blend in foundation only where you need it. On problem areas, use a concealer brush to spot on concealer, gently tapping in the pigment with your fingertips. To create a smooth finish, dust on loose powder with a powder brush to create a velvety look.

Here are a few selections to get you started with the nude palette and create the look with a minimum of fuss. Try the Eye Shadow Quad from Smashbox. The colors are perfect for a nude, daytime look and there is one more dramatic color in there for an evening shot of color.

For lips, try Stila Lip Glaze Sticks. These pencil-like sticks have a soft, rich, moisturizing formula that your lips will love. They also up the shimmer factor, with a high level of pearl in each shade. The result? A beautifully luminous pout that's perfect for any occasion. Sharpener included.

Help Build A Nest

As you all probably know by now, I just love it when shopping for something lovely can help make a difference in someone's life. Here's another opportunity to give back by simply buying the things you love. A new website called Nest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries. The mission of Nest is to support women artists and artisans in the developing world by helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. Nest does this by providing micro-credit loans to be used for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to begin and/or maintain art or craft-based businesses.

When you buy something from Nest, you have not only have purchased a unique and beautiful item for yourself or your home, you have participated in a proven effort to better the lives of women all across the globe. Through our work, and your participation, women all over the world will be able to plant their roots in a refuge filled with warmth, solace, comfort and joy. So take a look at their wonderful offerings ranging from handcrafted jewelry to clothing to items for your home. May you be filled with energy, beauty and peace.

FLOR It

Tired of scrubbing away at all the stains in the carpet? What if you could just remove the offending piece and replace it with a brand new one? If you use Interface FLOR carpet tiles, then you can!

If you haven't yet heard about, or seen, the great carpet tiles from Interface FLOR, you must check these out. FLOR's easy-to-install carpet tiles come in an ever-increasing range of prints, patterns, solids, colors and textures. You can create a wall-to-wall look, or an area rug to suit your space. And now, they are available in quarter-rounds, to create the FLOR Button Rug.

Use them in the playroom, a bedroom, a bathroom or a high-traffic hallway. When an area becomes soiled beyond cleaning, literally, just pop the tiles out and replace them. The carpet tiles have an adhesive backing so they stay in place, yet are easily replaced. Many FLOR designs are made from recycled or renewable resources and made in ways that don’t require (or waste) much energy. Interface Flor believes so strongly in recycling that if you can't find an option yourself, you can send it back to them.

Thumbs Up

Every child's thumbprint is unique, and Magic Dog Studio designer, Jennifer Bunt, recognizes the beauty and unique mark each individual carries with them. By creating thumbprint/ fingerprint charms using the impression of your child, Magic Dog allows you to hold a loved one close to your heart.

Formally trained as a silver-smith, Jennifer was inspired to interpret her daughter's drawings in silver. After many years of perfecting her craft, Jennifer began to create jewelry using her signature thumbprint and fingerprint charms, as well as interpretations of artwork in silver. Her "Off the Fridge and Out of the Drawer" collection transforms a child’s original artwork into a custom piece of jewelry that will be cherished for years to come. When she designs a "Family Necklace", she uses images from your children to create a beautiful family heirloom, complete with a personalized name tag.

Jennifer says, "I have always celebrated my children, and their individualities. One of the most precious times in their life was when they were infants. To capture that 'moment in time', I created a wall piece with their small hands etched into metal. Many people have requested the wall piece to not only capture the moment of their small child, but also to celebrate the union of two individuals or of their family pets."

Whether it is a wearable piece of art or a wall piece, Magic Dog Studio is here to enable you to celebrate your children...your self...your life.

Get Buttoned Up

Need more organization in your day-to-day life? Then take some tips from Get Buttoned Up. This site was created by four women (three sisters and a best friend) in 2004 and they have a mission - give women the tools they need to live an organized life. They wanted to liberate themselves and other from the organizational products they found themselves purchasing year after year, and using only a few times before tossing them in the trash. These women have created their own very streamlined organizational products, and they offer a weekly newsletter with simple suggestions for battling clutter and staying organized amid busy lives. Some of their topics include tips for remembering birthdays and anniversaries, teaching kids to be organized, and preparing yourself and your kids for back to school (tip - have an end of summer party!).

The ladies from Get Buttoned Up have three cardinal rules for "getting buttoned up". They are:
1/Stop chasing perfection: The pursuit of perfection takes a superhuman effort to achieve and a superhuman effort to maintain. You have enough work on your plate already; you don’t need another full time job. So we encourage you to let the need to achieve perfection go.

2/Focus on the 20% of tasks that are critical:
The 80/20 rule states that in any pursuit, if you take care of a few important things (20%), you will solve 80% of your problem. The most efficient way forward is to focus on the 20% that is vital to success and spend less time on the rest.

3/Learn to delegate effectively:
Once you’ve ditched the need for perfection – it becomes much easier to delegate. Too often, we carry an unnecessarily heavy burden – holding on to and yes, controlling, everything. We know that letting go enough to delegate effectively can be a tough challenge – but it is one worth overcoming. If you don’t learn, you’ll never have a lighter load.

So take a peek, and if you like what you see you can subscribe to their newsletter for weekly hints and tips for keeping your life organized without living a life of organization.

Clean for the Cure

Wouldn't it be great if by simply shopping we could help raise money for breast cancer research? Well, shop away because from September 15 - 30th, Dirt Devil is donating 10% of sales of the Dirt Devil Pink Broom Vac to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. What a wonderful way to donate to a great cause while making housework that much easier.

What Moms Want Dads to Know About Them

Hogan Hilling and Jesse Rutherford, both moms, co-authored the book "Men Behaving Dadly: What Dads Want Moms to Know About Them" (due out Summer 2007). From this, they were inspired to write a book about moms for dads. This new book will be called "What Moms Want Dads to Know About Them."

Jesse and Hogan are gathering material for this book about moms for dads, and they want your feedback. If you have concerns, frustrations, and confusion about how your husband parents or about your role as a mom that you'd like to voice, What Moms Want Dads to Know is a blog with the sole purpose of creating a forum for expressing your thoughts and perspectives. Just click on “Comment” and let it fly. They want their blog to be "A safe, non-judgmental forum where mothers can share their honest thoughts on parenting from a woman's point of view." Jesse and Hogan will personally read all comments that are posted to this blog and may even publish them in the book.

The first book this pair wrote gives moms and in-depth look into a father‘s perspective on caring for a baby and parenting. For more info about the book you can log on to Men Behaving Badly. Take a look!

A Clean (and Healthy!) Home

Tired of inhaling toxic fumes just to get your house clean? Now you don't have to, and neither do your kids. In today's day and age, we have options that will leave your house spotless without wrecking the environment, or your respiratory system. You can safely and effectively clean almost every surface with simple ingredients such as distilled white vinegar, baking soda and liquid castile soap. However, you may prefer the convenience of ready-made products to keep your home clean. Whether you shop at Piggly Wiggly or Whole Foods, take note of these recommendations and keep an eye out for them on your next shopping trip. Some of One Chic Mama's recommendations include:

Bon Ami Cleanser does a great job on surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen sinks, toilets and bathtubs, without scratching.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear All Purpose Cleanser is great for countertops and most other surfaces.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day makes a cleaning solution for just about anything from all purpose cleanser to carpet cleaner, and even a wonderfu hand lotion for when you've completed your chores.

Citra-Solv Multipurpose is another great product to have on hand for just about everything from mopping floors to cleaning countertops and everything in between.

So remember - while cleaning may not be your favorite thing to do, why not turn it into another way to make our world a better place for our kids? With these natural products you can enroll them in cleaning up without worrying that they'll be exposed to toxins that might be damaging to their fragile systems. You'll be doing a world of good for your home and the planet!

Ahhh! Sweater Weather is Almost Here

Do you have a favorite sweater? I know I have a couple. I just love that first chill in the autumn air and the chance to pull on a big, cozy sweater. It's the definition of the word comfort for me.

This Envelope Sweater from Marc Jacobs is a wonderful way to keep warm this fall, and is bound to become a favorite. Just throw it on over a long sleeved t or your favorite knit top, a pair of jeans or leggings and you'll be set. It has a ribbon tie at the waist to help it stay put, and roomy dolman sleeves with ribbed cuffs. I can't wait!

Declutter Your Car

Why does it seem that when you become a mom, your car also becomes a magnet for junk? It seems that I can clean my car out weekly, only to have it look the same after just a couple of days. I guess having a pre-schooler who likes to snack in the car, get dirty at the park and track sand into the car, peel her crayons and throw the wrappers around, shred napkins (I don't get this) and just plain make a mess, what more could I expect? So I've decided to find a solution to having a clean, organized car (or, if not clean, at least organized) once and for all. Here are a couple of my solutions.

This trunk organizer is great to keep kid essentials on hand, yet neatly in one place. Toss in sunscreen, extra diapers and wipes, a change of clothes, spare snacks, a couple of bottles of water, an umbrella, a towel, tissues and whatever else you need to be prepared (can you tell I was a Girl Scout?). Just keep it out of your child's reach so your essentials don't become entertainment (you don't want to look back and see your child slathering sunscreen all over himself and the car while you're driving, do you?).

The Car Cooler is perfect for keeping snacks, lunch and drinks organized and readily available for long road trips. It can also double as your trashcan, leaving empty wrappers inside until you get to your destination. The cooler can prevent you from having to stop and buy drinks on the road and allows you to pack a healthy lunch, saving you from the limited fast-food choices.

The Swing-Away Organizer helps you keep your atlas, maps, drinks, cell phones, etc. at arm's length in the front seat when you don't have a passenger. It swings to the back of the seat when you do. And it can double as an organizer for your child's books, crayons, paper, toys, etc. as well as have room for sippy cups and snacks.

Another way to help keep clutter under control is to not let trash pile up. Whenever you have trash in your car, throw it out at your next stop. This will prevent half empty bottles of water and soda from rolling around under the seats, and will help keep crumbs under control if there are no wrappers laying around. Also, brush as much sand or dirt off your shoes, and your child's shoes, before you get into the car. This will help keep it to a minimum. If you're really serious about clutter-busting, you might want to enfore a "no-eating or drinking in the car except for water" rule. Try as I might, I know this will not fly with my family, and sometimes my trip to pick my daughter up is the only chance I have for a quick snack, so this will not be enforced in our car.

Have other ideas for busting clutter in your car? I'd love to hear them.

Make-up Delivered To You!

What a great idea! The hottest new shades and brands of make-up, delivered right to you! What better way for a busy mom to keep her make-up looking fresh and up-to-date? I remember several weeks after having my first child and feeling so out of the loop make-up-wise. I was desperate for some new make-up, something to help me feel pulled together and at least look like I was paying attention to the current color trends. Well, this time I have a solution!

Nicole Jaffe started Yellow Box Beauty when she realized that she was always on the cutting edge of discovering what's new and what's hot in the cosmetics industry. She decided to put those skills and energy to work for her and created a great service that will help keep us moms in the know, without spending all our free time shopping and surfing the web.

Here's how it works. You choose the number of months you want to sign up for; 3, 6, or 12. The more months you sign up for, the better the price. Then just keep an eye out for that alluring yellow box to arrive at your door with new beauty products. Every month focuses on a new and exciting beauty brand with retail size items. The number of product pieces will vary each month, but one thing’s for sure, you will always get your money’s worth and then some!

Yellow Box Beauty is focused on finding brands that are either new to the spotlight or may be on the verge of being the next "it" thing. Brands and products that are hot, new, exciting, different, boutique or trendy but always wonderful! Yellow Box Beauty wants to mix it up so you don’t get bored. One month you may get nail polish, another month eye shadow and lip gloss, or even an amazing fizzy bath bomb. You never know what will show up at your door and that is part of the fun. How beautiful is that!

Kiss Those Lumps and Bumps Goodbye

Lost all your post-pregnancy weight yet? Still working on working out? Here's something that can help speed things along with you spending more time on the treadmill. If you haven't yet heard of Spanx, well, here's the deal. They help to smooth out those lumps, bumps and rolls underneath your clothing so you'll look firmer and slimmer in seconds, with no binding or pinching! And who couldn't use that kind of boost every once in a while?

Spanx can be had in many shapes and sizes including body shapers to bras, footless tights and much more. Perfect under this season's leggings and stovepipe pants, or just under your favorite skirt and sweater. Spanx will boost your curves and give you a smoother look with no visible panty lines. Sold! At 33 weeks pregnant, I know what I'm going to be wearing in a few weeks!

A Hop and a Skip

A mom can never have too many good bags. And I just discovered these great bags from Skip Hop that move from the stroller to your shoulder in the blink of an eye. How nice to have a bag that actually is supposed to attach to the stroller! With my first child, we were always trying to rig our diaper bag to stay put on our strollers. It worked OK on our umbrella stroller, but on our jog stroller it was much more challenging. Then there was no room for my purse! With the Skip Hop Duo Diaper Bag, it can double as a diaper bag and a purse. It has lots of compartments so your cell phone, wallet, keys and makeup stay clean and dry while there is plenty of room for wipes, diapers and the like.

The clean, modern styling of Skip Hop bags appeals to moms as well as dads, and the functionality of these bags is commendable. They come in all sorts of colors, and even some great camo prints. I look forward to using one of these with my newborn later this fall.