Store Your Stuff in Style

I find many uses for plastic bags. They're great for all sorts of stuff. I find myself using quart-size freezer bags for anything from storing Goldfish after the bag has been opened (their packaging could use some work), to keeping travel-sized shampoo and conditioner bottles safely contained and also for stashing a few extra slices of banana bread in the freezer. Wouldn't it be great if the bags were something other than clear plastic?

Two's Company has done it! They've come out with a line of the cutest damask print sandwich and garbage bags. These bags are white with a black print, and the garbage bags have a pretty robin's egg blue drawstring tie on them. They're so pretty I don't think I would use them for the trash. I think I'd save them and use them as gift bags for oversized gifts for my daughter's next birthday party. Or to store her stuffed animal collection. Or for clothes she's outgrown that we save for my neice. Or for storing holiday decorations. And their printed quart size freezer bags are too cute! Perfect for keeping your suitcase organized and stylish. Or just brightening up your day when you stash your lunch in one when you're on the run.

Available from Aldea Home.

A Stylish Way to Dispose of Diapers

When you're on the go, there's nothing worse than having a diaper blowout. You know, when the diaper is overflowing and your baby's entire outfit has been compromised? And if you happen to be nowhere near a restroom or a trashcan, you end up carrying around that dirty diaper until you find somewhere to dispose of it. If you happen to have Diaper Baggies with you, you'll have a clever solution to your problem.

Diaper Baggies are the new stylish, sanitary, and practical way to contain babies' soiled diapers and clothing when you're on the go. They feature a zip lock closure, and are environmentally friendly - they're made from recycled plastic. The zip lock closure helps to lock in odors and mess, so you have a safe and secure way to stash dirty diapers and clothing in your diaperbag.

Diaper Baggies currently come with two cute designs, a flower and a giraffe, with more on the way. You can order Diaper Baggies from HappiBaby.com. They come 40 to a pack and offer $.99 shipping during the month of January. Order some now and you'll be ready for the next blowout - you know it's coming!

Mission:Organization

Ever watch the HGTV show Mission:Organization? Well, make sure you watch it this Saturday at 3:00pm EST. You'll get to see the exciting transformation of my sewing studio. My husband and I applied to be on the show over a year ago, and found out last February that we had been selected (due to our desperate need of some organization/renovation in my studio, and my husband's witty answers to their questionnaire). So the month of April was our big month of renovating and shooting. I was 3 months pregnant at the time, and my husband had to be out of the country on a video shoot for a week. We made the best of it and got the work done, but it was a bit stressful at the time.

Randy made us divide everything into three piles: Keep, sell and throw away/donate. It was a good motivator for clearing out some clutter (mostly my fabric). We got rid of a lot of things that we just didn't have room for, and he created some wonderful storage solutions for our needs.

Gail, the host of the show, was lovely, and Randy, JoAnn and the crew were all a lot of fun to work with. We ended up having a great time. We love the new studio (most of it, at least) and are thankful for being chosen.

Plan A Date With Dad, er, Your Husband

With Valentine's Day coming up quickly, we're reminded of our romantic side. Yes, you do still have one. It just doesn't show itself quite as much when you're busy being a parent. Sure, your days are filled with spit-up, Cheeri-o's and power struggles. But that doesn't mean your nights have to be too. So pick up the phone and find a sitter. Don't have a regular sitter? Oh, well...

Finding a good sitter can be a real challenge. You can ask your friends for referrals, but are they willing to pass on the names of their prized sitters at the risk of having you book them solid every Saturday night? You want someone you know you can trust so that you can relax and enjoy your evening. Try booking a sitter through www.SitterCity.com. They'll provide you with a list of pre-screened, responsible and experienced women who love kids and will provide yours with the best of care.

Sitter City makes it easy to find a good sitter. Simply type in your zip code and they'll tell you how many sitters they have registered within 10 miles of you. You'll see the sitter's name, reviews, qualifications and closeness in proximity to you. You can click on the sitter to get more information. Your search can be as broad or refined as you like. You can search for sitters in general, or you can search for a sitter for a specific date and time. You can save your top choices so you can come back to them. Another way to find a sitter is to post a job opening, such as when you need regular childcare.

Sitter City has two ways of billing. You can join on a monthly basis for $9.99 a month, plus a one-time registration fee of $39.99. Or you can join with an annual membership of $95.88 (a 36% savings + free registration) for the entire year. If you join annually, you also receive a free 2-year subscription to Parents Magazine.

So get to work and log on to Sitter City. Then, book a couples massage, a romantic dinner, tickets to the theatre or just a lazy afternoon together. You'll soon rediscover your husband as the person you married, not just as the person most commonly referred to as "Daddy". Reconnecting with your spouse makes it a whole lot easier to tackle the challenges of parenting, and helps you remember how you got there in the first place.

Size Matters

So 2007 is well underway. Have you kept your New Year's resolutions? If you're like me, "lose weight" is at the top of your list. Or even if you don't need to shed a few pounds, just getting to the gym and firming up a bit might be one of your goals. But along with getting your body back into shape, make sure you're getting your wardrobe back into shape too.

One of the quickest ways to look a few pounds slimmer is to wear clothing that really fits. This goes for your bra and underwear too. If you're wearing jeans that make you feel like a sausage casing, chances are you're going to look like one. Go up a size or two (yes, it may require swallowing your pride) to get clothes that really fit, and you're going to look like a million bucks! You'll probably feel a lot better, too. Few things make me more grumpy than tugging at clothing that just doesn't fit right.

While you're in the process of shaping up, you might want to consider purchasing a few items of transitional clothing that look good now, but will still look good a few pounds from now. A bias cut skirt with an elastic waist can be a slimming and forgiving style that you can wear while you're getting to your goal. Once you're there, it may still work for you. A pair of jeans or trousers that have a little stretch to them can keep you looking good. And remember, low-riders are not for everyone. Buy pants that have a higher rise, and you could eliminate the look of "love handles" and look instantly slimmer.

Once you reach your goal, plan a day to go through your wardrobe. Enlist the help of a friend, your sister, an image consultant or even your husband. It helps to have a second opinion and to spot things you can't always see, or to offer suggestions. Make sure it's someone who will give you their honest opinion. Try on everything and decide what goes and what stays. You may be surprised at what you find. That top that was always just a tad too tight now looks fabulous, or you might realize that with a few alterations, you can update a favorite skirt to the season's current length and make it fit better to boot. Once you've got your pile of clothing to be altered, get recommendations from friends or co-workers for an experienced tailor to make the alterations and help update your wardrobe.

Then, take stock of what you have and what you think you need and go shopping. With a list in hand, and a good idea of what's going to fit your new physique, you'll be on your way to building a great wardrobe that really fits you and shows off all your hard work!

Have Fun...And, Oh yeah, Don't Kill the Kids!

Ever walk out the door when having a date night with your husband and realize that you forgot to tell the sitter something important? But to walk back in the house means risking another guilt-inducing melt-down by your kids. Not really the way you wanted to get your night started off. Why not just keep a "Don't Kill the Kids" pad on hand and rest assured that the sitter will have all the information she needs, and then some.

Don't Kill the Kids pads have a place for all the vital information that sitters need, such as cell phone numbers, where you'll be, bedtimes, etc.. There's also a checklist of information that you may not have thought of, such as should she answer the phone if it rings, knowing when to spot video-game glaze, and tips and tricks to make brushing teeth a little easier. So next time you have a date planned you can leave in peace knowing that you've left behind all the information that will help your sitter and your kids have a fun evening together.

Wear Your Baby In Style

Have you heard about all the wonderful benefits that wearing your baby provides? I know when I carry my 12-week old son in the sling, he is quite content. He takes great naps, is less fussy and seems to enjoy seeing the world from that perspective. I also wore my now 3 1/2 year old daughter when she was younger, and have seen her develop into a mature, confident and independent pre-schooler.

Research shows that wearing your baby in a sling or other carrier can result in less crying, more time in the quiet, alert state where baby learns, and can help foster bonding between mom and baby. The sling is in essence a "transitional womb" for the new baby, who has difficulty controlling her bodily functions and movements. I think it's a great way to keep baby close while being able to have your arms free.

Once you've decided you'd like to try baby wearing, you need to decide what type of carrier is right for you. Cobalt Carriers can help. They offer several different stylish carriers for sale, and give you reasons they like each one so you can get a good feel for what's right for you. Looking for a sling for a newborn? They offer several styles and describe the differences in detail. How about a versatile carrier that you can use for several years? They sell Mei Tai's that are perfect for this. These ship immediately (to your door in 2-3 days) so you don't have to wait.

So whatever the reason you decide to wear your baby, you're doing something wonderful for both of you. I hope you'll enjoy this special time as much as I do!

Soma By Chico's

The other day I wandered into a Soma By Chico’s store. Now, I’m not a huge fan of Chico’s clothing, but something about Soma just caught my eye. Maybe it was the pretty printed pajamas in cozy flannel, or the cute slipper booties in plush pink faux fur. Or the snuggly cashmere bathrobe. The soft fabrics just seemed to beg to be touched. So I went in (with two kids in tow) and was pleasantly surprised to find such a great selection of loungewear and undergarments. These are comfy clothes made for grown-ups, but with a sense of fun and indulgence.

After just having had a baby, I could use a few new undergarments to fit my current body size. And lucky for me, Soma was having a sale. Not just any sale, but one of their twice-yearly promotions where you can get 3 pairs of panties or thongs for $9.99. So I bit, and decided it would also be nice to have a new bra (on sale for $11.99, regularly $42+) or two. Soma is supposed to be known for the fit of their bras, and I have to say that I was impressed. The couple that I tried on (my daughter was less than patient in the fitting room) fit and felt great. The sales associate was a big help too, both with helping to find styles and sizes and entertaining my three year old daughter while I shopped.

Soma's website has bra fit tipsto help you get the style that best suits your body. So not only do they have saucy loungewear and a great selection of lingerie, but they seem to be really committed to helping women find clothing that fits. Now that's worth spreading the word!

A Deal on Diapers

Don't you just hate running out of diapers? I know I start to feel a little stressed when I get down to less than ten. I like to have extras on hand, just in case. So I found this great deal courtesy of Parent Hacks to be quite helpful. When you spend $99 or more on Huggies through Amazon.com, you'll get $30 off. Plus, you'll get free super saver shipping. So I stocked up on diapers for my 11 week old, and Good Nights for my pre-schooler. I won't be making any more last minute runs to the store for diapers for quite some time!

Here's the link:save $30 on $99 worth of Huggies at Amazon.com. Offer good through January 31, 2007.

One Chic Mama Branches Out

When I first started One Chic Mama back in May, I had thought in passing that it might be fun to branch out and write for other publications, in addition to writing for my blog. Well, after several months of posts for the blog and a few other publications, I am happy to say that I have just accepted a partnership with a regional print and online publication, Carolina Parent. As of the February issue, I will be contributing a monthly column entitled "One Chic Mama" in addition to posting on my own blog. Carolina Parent is chock full of information each month, with great tips ranging from finding a summer camp to dealing with behaviorial issues, having a baby and so much more. It also contains an indispensible calendar of local events, with listings of local story times and child-friendly happenings. I hope you will all take a look once it's out and will enjoy reading more of my beauty, style, health and lifestyle tips for all you wonderful moms!

The Myth of Multitasking

Are you a pro at multitasking? Can you single-handedly answer email, fold the laundry, write thank-you notes and fix dinner all at the same time? Then you're like most moms who strive to do more things at a time than we used to think were possible. But is it really possible that we're doing more when we multitask? Chances are, the answer is no.

David Allen knows a thing or two about multitasking and why it's not nearly as effective as we may seem to think. He is the author of the bestseller, "Getting Things Done". GTD, as it's referred to, is a system for, well, getting things done. Whether those things include managing the household or running a business, this system will help you get focused so you can accomplish your tasks.

Allen advocates getting your "to do" list out of our head and into what he calls a "bucket", either a physical inbox, email inbox, tape recorder, notebook or Palm Pilot. The theory is that when we're left trying to remember our "to do" list in our heads, and nothing is prioritized, we get lost in the chaos and we don't really get much accomplished. Once we have our list down, Allen proposes grouping tasks by context. List all your phone calls together, then errands to run, etc, rather than general prioritizing. He also advocates the "two minute rule" - if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. It generally takes two minutes (or more) to record a task, and defer or delegate it, so why not go ahead and cross something off your list?

We, as parents, get so used to being interrupted during our daily tasks that when we actually have time to work on a project uninterrupted, we interrupt ourselves. The laundry has to be folded; what should we have for dinner? how about a cup of coffee? Once you are aware of it, start to work towards staying focused on one thing and getting it done. This will free you up to focus on the task at hand and be more present in your life. When you're not rushing around from one thing to another, you can take heart knowing that what you're doing, you're doing well.

Jeans That Fit

When I was growing up, buying jeans was a no-brainer. There were only a handful of brands to choose from. You just picked the one all your friends were wearing, chose your wash and grabbed your size. Simple.

Fast Forward 30 years and there are more brands and styles of jeans than ever. Denim is one of the hottest things around and everyone is making jeans. What's good about that is there is a brand out there that's bound to fit you. What's frustrating about that is actually finding them. Discovering a brand of jeans that fit - and I mean REALLY fit - can sometimes take forever. And when you're a busy mom with busy kids, who's got the time?

Enter Zafu. Introduced in 2006, Zafu offers a revolutionary new concept to find jeans for your body type. Zafu is an online service that brings peace to the process of buying jeans. Simply answer a few simple questions and Zafu searches its database to make jeans recommendations based on your body type. You can sort them by the styles you like best, save your recommendations, then when you're ready, you can click through to order your jeans from the retailer. Based on the reviews, it looks like Zafu.com is spot on in its recommendations. And according to Zafu's chief executive, more than 94% of Zafu's clients keep their purchases. Zafu's recommendations are for a wide variety of styles, brands and prices of jeans, so you're bound to have a great selection to choose from.

So the next time you need new jeans, enjoy the ease of shopping from your desk and do something else with all that extra time.

Happy Birthday...to me!

Yesterday I turned 39. My last birthday to be celebrated for a while. No, wait, I actually look forward to entering my 40's next year! My 30's have been wonderful, don't get me wrong. But 40, that's when I really become a grown up. When I was young and naive, I used to think that my friends' moms were SO OLD if they were in their 40's. Like, over the hill old. Then when I hit college and friends had parents in their 60's I thought that was OLD. Now that I'm 39 and have just had my second child, I realize that I'll be close to 60 by the time he's in college. Does that make me old? Nope. You're only as old as you feel, and I feel too excited and energetic about life to be old. Sure, I go to bed earlier, but some of that has to do with the fact that I'm up a time or two at night for feedings. I've still got a lot of life left, and I don't feel a day over 35 - at least that's how old the girl at Starbucks told me I looked. I hope she's right!

So as I bid adieu to my 30's, I reflect back on all the wonderful things that happened during this decade. I got married, I had 2 beautfiul children, I had some wonderful business opportunities, I made some wonderful friends, I traveled to Paris, we bought our first house... But I look forward to the next chapter in my life - raising our children, more travel, building a modern sustainable home, spending more time with my husband, and having closer relationships with my family and friends. My only wish is that it wouldn't fly by so fast:)

Deals and Steals to Start the Year off Right

Happy New Year, Ya'll! I don't know about you, but one of my new year's resolutions is to save more money. That doesn't mean no shopping, just shopping more wisely. And to help get you off on the right track, I've rounded up a few deals and steals to help you get the most bang for your buck.

The new year is a great time to add a few new pieces of jewelry to your collection. Even better if the jewelry will help remind you of your New Year's resolutions. The "Little Reminders" collection from Lucky Accessories will not only look lovely, but will help you remember to laugh, trust, hope, inspire, balance and much more when you wear them. Save 40% off all jewelry until January 15 by using code: 40%OFFEVERYTHING at checkout.

Time to clean out your makeup drawer and add some new products? e.l.f. is a great place to start. Short for eyes, lips, face, e.l.f. has fab make-up for $1 a pop. Yep, that's one dollar per item. So when you they offer you a deal of $5 off your purchase, that's like getting 5 items FREE! I don't know if I'm going to try the Naural Radiance Blusher or the Brightening Eye Color first. Heck, with this deal I may try them both, and then some! Use coupon code "NEWYR" at checkout through January 7th.

Now, off to get my studio organized. Then I'll be freed up to think about my makeup drawer (and what new shades I want for spring) and think about jewelry. Happy New Year!