Dresses on a Shoestring

While you can get a lot more mileage from last year's basic dress just by adding new accessories, sometimes we just want to treat ourselves to a new dress. Well, I've found a few steals that you can add to your wardrobe, for less than you might pay for a new necklace or earrings. And with $.97 shipping, how can you resist?

This gorgeous midnight blue George ME Satin Shift Dress from Mark Eisen for Wal-Mart ($19) will be a sure-fire hit at your next soiree.

Her finger was right on the pulse of fashion in the 80's, and she hasn't missed a beat yet. This Jersey Wrap Dress from Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart ($20) brings you what Kamali does best, at a price you can revel in.

This chic Jersey Swing Dress from Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart ($20) does double duty as a workdress under a jacket or cardigan. Add pearls and heels for a sexy, but subdued evening outing.

Keep your look au courant with this simple Black Lace Cocktail Dress from Wal-Mart ($29.88). Add a few simple accessories and you'll be dashing for your husband's office party.

Beat the Black Friday Blues

Ok, so you're up sipping your first cup of coffee and realize that it's already waaaay past 4am. If there's a deal to be had out there, you've probably already missed it! Instead of bundling the kids up to drag them around for a morning of frustration for all, let them enjoy another morning off from school while you hop on the computer to take advantage of Amazon's Black Friday Deals.

From video games to cameras, toys, electronics, music and, of course, books, you'll find the best deals and you won't have to risk getting in a fight over a parking space or having the kids hear you utter a couple of four letter words (oops). Just sit back, sip your favorite mug of hot cocoa and relish the change to do your shopping, avoid the crowds AND get your shopping done while saving a bundle. Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving

From my family to yours, here's wishing you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for you all, fabulous readers, and know that One Chic Mama wouldn't be here without you. You're one awesome group!

Holiday Shoes at Bargain Prices

Would a great new pair of shoes give your wardrobe a new look for the holidays? Sometimes one chic pair of boots or pumps is all it takes to give last year's dress a new lease on life! So take advantage of the great deals over at Steve Madden. With prices slashed up to 50%, and FREE shipping on orders over $100, you can score some real bargains that beat buying a new dress!

Help For Your Hands

Chilly weather. A mountain of dishes. Dry air. It's enough to deplete the moisture from our skin and leave our hands looking dry, cracked and chapped. Yet with all the holiday parties and events on the horizon, the last thing we want is unattractive hands that a slick of polish won't disguise.

Fortunately for us busy mamas, pretty hands are not just something from our past. With a few hard-working products and hand-saving tips, our hands can survive Thanksgiving dinner and the cold weather ahead, and still look as lovely as ever!


1/ Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I can't stress this enough. Between bathing the kiddos, doing dishes and all the dry air, our hands continually take a beating. Keep a heavy-duty hand cream such as Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($4.49) close at hand to keep your skin nourished. Give your cuticles some extra attention with Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme ($6.49) to keep them soft and smooth.

2/ When you're in the shower, use some Booth's Ginger Sugar Body Scrub ($7.69) not only on your body, but try some on your hands. The nourishing shea and cocoa butters help to hydrate dry, parched skin and will get your hands off to a good start.

3/ It may be one extra step to think about, but this year as you wash the post-turkey day dishes, slip into these chic dish gloves ($22) to save your hands and your nails from water, which can actually contribute to them being dry and chapped.

4/ If you're not one to add a little color to your nails, at least keep a coat of Sally Hansen Hard As Nails on them to help strengthen nails and prevent breakage and chipping. If you have time, slick on a coat of nude-colored polish underneath to give your hands a more polished, yet natural, look.

Your hands do a lot - pamper them this season and keep them looking great!

Oldies But Goodies

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, that can only mean that in a few weeks the kids will be out of school for the holidays. That means a lot of family time, and a lot of evenings in spending time together.

One great family activity that is perfect when the temperatures are hovering below freezing, is watching movies. I'm not talking about the latest and greatest action flicks, but the oldies - the classics. Something about snuggling together on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and a mug of hot chocolate just seems to go hand in hand with queueing up an old black and white version of Meet Me In St. Louis, or It's a Wonderful Life. It's something the whole family can enjoy together, and feels like a little escape from all the details of modern-day animation (as good as it is, we all need a break). But with so few old movies easily available, how do we know what's going to be best for our kids?

The Best Old Movies for Families: A Guide to Watching Together is a great resource for deciding just that. It breaks movies down into genres, as well as offering a Starter Kit: First old movies to watch with your toddler, tweener or teenager. Written by Ty Burr, a former movie critic for the Boston Globe, The Best Old Movies for Families gives some great insight into what movies are appropriate, as well as appealing to kids of all ages. In his description for Meet Me In St. Louis, he recommends it for ages 3 and up, and lists the sell as "How families and little girls lived (and sang) one hundred years ago. Wow. Suddenly it's easy peasy to entice your kids away from that fifth episode of Sponge Bob for the day (is that all Nick shows anymore?).

The Best Old Movies for Families is a well-written and very informative guide that helps families easily embrace the classics that may very well be forgotten by today's generations. With so many great movies from years ago, it's nice to have a little help in selecting one that's right for your family.

Last night my kids (2 and 5) and I got inpsired and headed to the local Blockbuster to find something that wasn't animated or on the recent release wall. After some looking, we ended up with Miracle On 34th St. Not the original version, mind you, but John Hughes' adaptation. It was good, but not the classic version I had hoped for. So if you're going to give this book as a gift, you might want to include a subscription to Netflix. At just $4.99 a month and no late fees, you'll have a whole listing of oldies but goodies right at your fingertips.

Eye Catching Color

If you're like me, you love any opportunity to indulge yourself in lovely accessories. They can take a simple outfit to a whole new level, and give your best dress a new twist. The gorgeous pendants from Lady Lynn's Boutique are certainly the kind of accessories that dress up the everyday and turn it into something special. Affordably priced, try slipping a pendant onto a delicate chain, a wire necklace or a pretty ribbon for a great look.

Win It
One lucky winner will receive this gorgeous Abalone & Amethyst Sterling Silver Pendant ($38 value) from Lady Lynn's boutique. This is just the thing to spice up your outfit for a holiday party and to make your eyes sparkle! To enter, leave us a comment and tell us how you would wear this pendant. Don't forget your email address. Deadline is Midnight, EST, November 29.

Is Green the New Black?

Green may just very well be the new black. No, not the color green, silly! The movement to "green" the earth, to conserve our resources and to make ourselves as eco-friendly as possible. Everybody's doing it, and it's become the chic, in thing to do. Just like wearing black. It's everywhere, and now that's it's permeated our culture, there's no going back. And that's a very good thing!

But, like wearing black, you can do it so that it serves a purpose (but sacrifices style), or you can find chic and stylish ways to green your life and your wardrobe while making it that much more attractive to those around you who haven't seen the light. As Tamsin Blanchard explores in her new tome, Green Is the New Black: How to Change the World with Style, we can change the world while we keep our wardrobes looking fabulous!

Green Is the New Black is chock full of clever and inspirational tips that even the most diehard shopaholic can appreciate. She explains the prinicipals of ethical fashion and why we should care, and offers up a wealth of fashionable knowledge to help us in our quest of sustainable stylish living. As well as being eco-friendly, many of the tips in Green Is the New Black will also save us a bundle of money. Blanchard has fabulous suggestions for scouting out second-hand stores, and creating a look using vintage classics such as sunglasses in styles that are timeless.

If you're on a quest to save the world while looking fabulous, Green Is the New Black is your ticket to great eco-friendly style!

Start Your Engines

My son loves any mode of transportation - planes, trains, automobiles...Anything that goes just has him riveted for hours (go figure!). Hot Wheels cars are no exception. Something about the sleek designs of the cars, coupled with the great colors, really appeals to the boy inside him. The HOT WHEELS Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set and the Mattel Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone also appeals to the boy in him who likes fast cars, loop-de-loops and good ol' fashioned action!

Hot Wheels are and old school classic, and I remember my brother playing with them as a kid. It's nice to see they haven't lost their touch. These cool Trick Tracks take Hot Wheels to a whole new level. I must admit, it took us a while to properly assemble these Trick Tracks. Between me and my husband, over the course of about a week of tinkering with it each afternoon, we thought we had it right. Then an 8-year old neighbor came over and put it all together the right way, oh, in about 5 minutes. Not that it's difficult - I think we were just over-thinking it. Once we got it down and realized the three stunts were interconnected, we were all enthralled!

From a mom's point of view, I love these! I've had as much fun as my son shooting cars down the track and seeing them do loop-de-loops. In fact, I have had to to fight for my turn on occasion - this is one great toy! It's fun, easy and doesn't have tons of small pieces to get lost (except for the cars). For the price, HOT WHEELS Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set and the Mattel Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone have a lot going for them. But what I like best about them is that they're still pretty old school - no flashing lights, no loud noises and nothing digital. Just good, clean fun that the whole family can enjoy!

Hot Wheels Trick Tracks were reviewed for the Parent Bloggers Network.

To Infinity...and Beyond!

That time of the month is one we'd rather not think about. But it's nice that there are folks out there thinking about it for us, coming up with great new innovations to help us breeze through our period without a care.

One of my favorite new innovations is Always Infinity, made from Infinicel, a magical material that allows this super-absorbent pad to be only about 1/8" thick. Infinicel helps to wick moisture away from the body to keep you feeling dry, even on your heaviest days, without all the bulk of a larger pad.

I have to say I was skeptical when I first tried out Always Infinity. I mean, it's super thin - would it really work? I can answer definitively, that YES, this little sliver of a pad works just as hard as the big guys, while keeping you comfortable and dry. So as you move through the busy holiday season, that time of the month is one less thing you need to worry about. Thank goodness someone likes to think about that time of the month!

Wearable Ephemera

Handcrafted jewelry can oftentimes tell a story. Especially when it’s crafted from the pages of a children’s storybook. Many of the lovely necklaces, earrings and bracelets from
Bijou Savvy are made with pendants crafted from children’s book pages, wall paper from a dollhouse, or other found objects, and are sure to delight! Handcrafted by a mom, you can find designs from Bijou Savvy for $10 - $65.

Urban Pop for Your Tot

Urban. Hip. Modern. No, I'm not talking about the latest art or architecture - I'm talking about the chic kids tees and onesies from eight3one.

Crafted by a mom and pop team, eight3one designs combine an old-school feel with sleek, modern sensibility to create some pretty fabulous designs for your kids. I just love the long sleeved chocolate tee with gold beetle ($28). My two-year old thinks it's pretty darn cool to have a bug on his shirt - and I have to say, I agree.

eight3one offers a variety of designs from T Rex to flying monkeys, so there's a design for all your kids' personalities, whatever that may be.

Space Treat: Your Uncompleted Projects

Along the path to getting organized you may discover clutter in the form of projects that have never been completed. These projects often require just a few more action steps to get them off your plate and out of your way.

You'll know these projects when you find them because you'll either feel great joy at rediscovering them, or great dread learning you never completed them. Here are a few examples of uncompleted projects I have unearthed with clients in the past.

· Laura started knitting a sweater for herself back in November 2005 and was only halfway finished when the project got put on permanent hold.

· Amy had wrapped a birthday present for her niece and was supposed to mail it years ago. It's been sitting at the bottom of her utility closet ever since and she's been looking at it for years while berating herself for having never sent it.

· Melissa discovered a winter wool coat that she was intending to return a few years ago. It had the tags and receipts attached to it!

Here's how we proceeded with this clutter:

· The sweater: Although Laura loves knitting, her current life activities do not include making time to knit and she doesn't foresee any knitting time in the next year. So rather than continue to eat up valuable space in her home, she's opting to donate the unused yarn, needles and half knit sweater. She's dropping it off this Saturday at a crafts-collective. This kind of item would also be perfect for Freecycle.com.

· The present: Thinking her niece is now too old for the gift and would find it too boring as it was age specific, Amy is donating it to a local holiday toy-drive.

· The wool coat: Since it's been too many years and is too late to return the coat, even with the receipt, Melissa is donating it to a local winter coat-drive.

You'll notice the 3 solutions involve charitable donations. During challenging economic times, charities are often hit hard so if you can't make your usual financial donations, try donating your things instead. They weren't doing you any good and could definitely be useful for someone else.

Plus, moving these projects from clutter to completion is a part of the organizing process. When you discover these projects, schedule time on your calendar to actually deal with them.

So, although you may have many uncompleted projects, I want you to move just one along its path before Friday. You can do it - go do it!

Space-tacularly,
Erica
The Spacialist
New York Magazine's 2008 choice for BEST SPACE ORGANIZER!
212.924.4383

Warehouse Blow-Out on All Things Fleurville

Fleurville has taken the world of diaper bags by storm with their fabulous, functional, and even green designs. Well-made and built to last, these bags will be with a mom long past her diaper-toting days. So we know you're just gonna flip when you hear about the Fleurville warehouse sale that just started!

The bags on sale are all seconds, which means they did not make the cut during the rigorous quality control process. Yet, these are all functional bags with all of their components that have cosmetic blemishes which could include (but are not limited to) fabric flaws, stains, wrinkles, cloudy TPU (?), and lamination issues. All seconds sales are final sales, so make your purchases wisely.

Take a peek at some of these deals:

Lexie Totes - just $48
Motherships - just $38
Re-Run Messengers - just $22
Sling Totes - just $36
Mod Pods - just $10
Escape Pods - just $10
Micro Pods- just $10
Zip Wallets - just $12

So go shop the Fleurville warehouse sale now through 5pm PST, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 and do your holiday shopping early this year!

Scents and Sensibility

Busy families, houseguests and visitors can really do a number on the bathroom. To keep the air smelling pleasant, keep a little Poo-pourri next to the potty. Made from essential oils, Poo-pourri ($16.95 - $14.95) is a spray that you spritz right into the bowl before you, um, do a number of your own, to create a natural barrier to embarrassing and unpleasant odors. It's also available in a purse-sized spray ($9.95) so you can take it with you for overnight trips and for those "just in case" moments.

For the boys' bathroom, your son's dorm room or your husband's poker room, stash a can of Royal Flush ($16.95) next to the bowl and keep odors under control. The bathroom will be left smelling surprisingly fresh and no one will ever know! Find it for $9.95 and $14.95 at

Pack Your Bag

As you make your way to visit friends and family this season, make packing an art with a chic and stylish duffel bag from cinda b. Crafted from super-durable and water-resistant fabric, these lightweight bags feature a “bigmouth” opening to ensure you can get to all your goods. With bungees on each size to allow your cinda b to expand, you’ll find you have room for a whole lot more than you thought! Try the Overnighter or the Weekender for quick trips, or the Vacationer and the Garment Bag for longer excursions. With matching cosmetics case and accessories, you’ll be traveling in style like celeb moms Jennifer Garner and Brooke Shields! Available for $22 - $164.

Studio Style

Although it seems that diaper bags have come full circle and we have embraced them as chic accessories, there are still times where we don't want it to be obvious that we're carrying a diaper bag. We leave the house in the morning, bag packed to the gills. We drop our child off at daycare or with the sitter, emptying our bags of the essentials (diapers, wipes, snacks etc). Then we're off to a meeting with a new client, or for some afternoon delight with our husband. The last thing we want to be reminded of is that we're carrying a diaper bag.

Good thing Skip Hop has introduced its chic new Studio diaper tote, just $89. This is a workhorse of a bag disguised as a contemporary handbag. Equipped with pockets (a total of 14!) for the essentials, there's plenty of room for all your belongings, as well as your child's. So when you find yourself suddenly child-free, you don't need to stress about the bag your toting. You'll feel great knowing your tote does double duty as a diaper bag, as well as a date night bag, without sacrificing style.

The PVC-free Studio works as both a tote and as a stroller bag. The adjustable straps clip to your stroller. Unclip and Studio converts to a chic handbag that you'll want to carry long past your child's baby years.

A percentage of the profits from every Skip Hop purchase go towards supporting the Pediatric Aids Foundation and The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Win It
One winner will recive a Studio diaper tote from Skip Hop. To enter, leave us a comment and let us know which color you'd choose (champagne, chocolate, black and dark gray) and don't forget your email address. Deadline is Midnight, EST, November 22nd, 2008

Budget Chic: Weekend Chic

This time of year our weekends become busier than ever. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and we all know what that means - the holiday crush ensues! This means days packed full with open-houses, shopping trips, craft shows and so much more, then off to meet friends and family for dinner, parties or events. We need an outfit that's going to do double-duty and take us from day to evening with just a few changes, and keep us comfortable in the process.

Start with a good base layer:
We love these Curvy Fit and Flare Trouser jeans from New York and Company (on sale for just $9.99!) paired with a simple but stylish Floral Print jersey tank from Old Navy ($14.50). The print adds some extra punch, while the cotton tank style keeps it comfortable and easy. Pack everything you need for the day into this roomy Greenwood Blvd. Tote in metallic purple ($25) and you'll look great while being prepared. All three items add up to just $50!

For a daytime look:
Just add this chic and comfy Asha Open Front Cardigan from Forever 21 ($27.80) and slip into some cute Hayley Flats in pewter ($79). You'll move through your day with ease while looking stylish and pulled together. ($106.80 for both)

For an evening look:
After a busy day, you may be going out for dinner, a reception or a performance. You don't have time for a complete outfit change, so use your base outfit, including handbag, and add this fabulous purple Satin Trench Coat ($78) to top off your floral tank, and trade the flats for a bit of a heel. These Ysabel Pleated Bootines from Abaete for Payless ($45) will add a chic city feel while remaining budget-friendly. ($123 for both)

For your busy days ahead, use this look as a template and see how you can stretch your wardrobe to create a casual and a dressier look starting with your basics. You may find by adding just a few inexpensive items (like a pretty cardigan or a trench) that you can get more mileage from your jeans and tees. Use the accessories you already have for the finishing touches. This is easy on the budget, and helps you stress a lot less about what you'll be wearing.

Friday Blog Roundup

On Boston Mamas: Backup for Dummies. Safeguard your work and precious digital family photos and videos with the amazingly easy to use Clickfree backup device.

On Clever Parents: A bailout plan for parents.. Do you bail out your children? Are you inadvertently teaching them they do not have to act responsibly because they will not be held accountable for their choices? Consider the following.

On Modern Mom: How to be a foxy mom. Moms always ask, “How do I get the heat back in my life?” It’s not so easy to feel foxy when you think you look as sexy as a zombie. But feeling sexy is mostly a state of mind. Here are a few quick tips for turning the heat back up!

On Mom Finds: Win a $100 Shopping Spree for Holiday Cards at Minted.com . Don’t wait until the last minute to get those holiday cards made. In fact, get them done early (and for free!) with this week’s prize courtesy of Minted.com, a fantastic site loaded with gorgeous, customizable greeting cards.

The Bump.com introduces new badges just for you! Personalize your message board posts, blogs, or web pages with our Bump badges. Can't decide on just one? Take a couple or come back every once in awhile and switch it up.

Light Up Your Face

As autumn progresses and the days become shorter, we are exposed to less sunlight. This can leave our skin looking a little pale and wan. To give your skin a healthy, vibrant glow, try a little Wet n' Wild Face Illuminator (just $2.99) under your foundation, on your eyes, even on your lips. This luminous cream can work well on its own, too! Try it in place of eyeshadow on days you are rushed, or add it over your foundation after a long day before you head out with the girls. You'll look refreshed and awake, and everyone will be wondering what you're up to!

Go ahead - make 'em wonder!

She's One Chic Mama!

LeeAnn Anderson is one very chic and talented mother of three. With a fabulous CD just out, and a busy family to care for, LeeAnn makes sure to carve out time to keep herself looking, and more importantly, feeling good. She is the mother of two daughters and a son, ages 25, 11 and 9. We caught up with LeeAnn to find out what helps keep her feeling balanced and looking beautiful!

OCM: Being working mom can be exhausting. How do you carve out time to yourself to recharge?
LAA: I believe that if Mom is not centered neither is anyone in her family! Mom is the one that keeps the wind in the sails of her ship. I love my children but they are not the center of my universe. I think this is important for them to realize this especially when it comes to your marriage (if you are married). Also, I am one of those people that am addicted to moving my body, whether it be yoga, swimming, walking, biking, or lifting weights. It is how I center myself. It allows me to really focus on just myself for an hour and a half everyday. I view exercise not as a chore but as my fountain of youth. It keeps my muscles toned, my skeletal structure healthy (so important as we age) my skin looking fabulous and my mind sharp and clear. On Sunday before the week gets started, I look at my schedule and determine what I will do each day. This allows me to be open with my routine so I don’t get bored - I so dislike monotony!!

I also make sure I get together with a friend at least twice a month, have a great lunch, girls night out, or go see a terrific new exhibit. When it comes to recharging yourself, nothing beats laughter with a close friend!

OCM: In your business, style is obviously important. What are your secrets for walking out the door each day looking pulled together and chic?
LAA: I’m a big flirt! Ha ha! So I just assume that I might run into someone that will pique my interest! It’s not what you know it’s who you know and you never know when you might meet someone that will take your career to a whole new level. So look good! Mascara, concealer and lipstick go a long way - I never leave home without them!

OCM: How would you define your personal style?
LAA: My personal style suffers from ADD! I don’t have a favorite shop or line of clothes that I am wrapped up in. I simply buy what I like and what flatters my body (at least I hope it does!) What I wear has mostly to do with how I feel that day. On a whole I would say I am a risk taker with classic styles as my foundation.

OCM: What's your favorite outfit at the moment?
LAA: My favorite outfit right now is this great grey mini skirt with a cap sleeved black cashmere-like turtleneck that I purchased from the Gap last winter and my high black suede boots - sooo chic!!

OCM: What's the one beauty product you couldn't live without?
LAA: I could go on and on about my favorite beauty products... Obagi Sunscreen 35 - I get it at the dermatologist's office and I never leave my house without it on my face! Also Wet and Wild Face Illuminator is the greatest stuff and it's just $3.99. I put it on my lips, eyes (if I didn’t have time to add eye shadow before I left the house) and cheeks. I am telling you it gives your face a great glow!!

OCM: You obviously are One Chic Mama! What advice can you pass on to other moms to help them look as fabulous as you do?
LAA: I believe that how we appear on the out side has more to do with what we are on the inside. Take care of your body, it is the only one you have. Eat good, whole foods. Cut out processed foods and excessive sugar. We all know what junk food tastes like, so move on. Take vitamins. Work your body any way you feel moves your spirit. And keep your head on straight. Looking fabulous is easy when your skin looks great and your attitude is optimistic. Open up to people, let them see your light!

Editor's Note: Lee Ann is a wonderful inspiration for taking care of our bodies and ourselves, even as we raise families. She has a beautiful style and a warm spirit that just light up a room!

Space Treat: Fresh Eyes

Every week when I meet a new client we start the session off with a house tour. Even if their initial priority is the home office, we'll walk through the entire home.

This past week I met with a new client, Michelle. During her Phone Intake Consultation, we determined that setting up an efficient home office where she could store and access papers, schedules, mail, bills and files was her number one priority.

With that in mind we set out on a house tour. During this step we open all the closets, drawers and cabinets. There are 2 main benefits to the tour:

1 - I get to see how spaces are over utilized and under utilized.
2 - As the client walks with me through all the nooks and crannies she is miraculously seeing the space with fresh eyes.

As we look at each room, I ask Michelle what's working well and what's not working well. I have to ask because it's different for everyone. What drives one client crazy is perfectly wonderful for another. As we come upon different things I ask "What's inside? What kind of papers are those? When's the last time you needed them? How frequently do you use them?". You get the idea. These questions pertain to all areas of the house we explore not just the priority area. And an amazing thing happens while we were walking around, Michelle (and almost every client I've ever organized with), repeatedly shares with me a few consistent responses:

1 - I have no idea what this is.
2 - I have no idea what's inside that box.
3 - I haven't used this in years/months and could probably get rid of it.
4 - I have more of that somewhere else.
5 - I don't even like that. I don't know why I'm keeping it.
6 - This shouldn't even be in here.

The best part of the tour is that just by sharing and explaining her home to me, Michelle immediately gets a fresh perspective on everything in her home that has been living with her and her family. It's tremendously illuminating and perfectly sets the stage for the next act.

There's an easy way for you to get some fresh eyes for your space too. Ask a close friend to come over to participate in the tour with you. If your very best friend lives in another state, then upload the photos to a photo sharing site and do a virtual tour.

If you can't bare showing your friend the space, then:

1 - Pick up your digital camera and photograph your entire home, room by room.
2 - Wait a week.
3 - Go somewhere to review the photos outside of your home.
4 - Take the photos with you either on the camera itself or down loaded on to your laptop or go old school and actually print them out.
5 - By the shear act of explaining, sharing and stepping out of your environment, glaring things will reveal themselves to you! You'll be amazed at what you see!

Space-tacularly,
Erica
The Spacialist
New York Magazine's 2008 choice for BEST SPACE ORGANIZER!
212.924.4383

Stains Included

My son is a bit like me - doesn't like to get too messy. So when I put on his dirt-haulin' shirt from Progeny, he was a little apprehensive. Even at age two, he said, "No, dirty!" After a few minutes of back and forth I was able to convince him that it wasn't really dirty, that the dirt was built right in. Once he realized that I was right, he fell in love with the shirt and now he pulls it off his shelf and asks to wear it.

Kids get dirty, and it's just a matter of time before their brand new tee shirt is splattered with grape juice, paint or some unidentified substance. Progeny has created a line of tees, onesies and bibs, under the name My Dirty Birdie that come with the stains built right in. Preprinted dirt, makeup, juice and more come printed on these cute little wearables to help us embrace the fact that kids get messy, and to take some of the stress out of that first spill. So go ahead, let 'em eat chocolate, play in the mud and get into stuff. Because kids will be kids, and a little camouflage can be a good thing!