Thrifty Thursday

Although the last thing on your mind right now may be shopping, I can't help but post this deal today. If you are anything like this haute mom, you never stop thinking about shopping, especially when it comes to buying for your little ones since they outgrow things so quickly.

This is another deal from Plum District and is for TODAY ONLY! The hip kids clothing company Lollipop Moon has a $25 voucher today that is good for $50 of kids clothing. And these aren't just any ordinary kids clothing. Lollipop Moon has the most chic, haute kids clothing around! Better yet, the number of vouchers you can buy is unlimited and can be used starting this Sunday, January 2nd through June 30, 2011 so buy 'em, stock 'em, and use 'em as you need 'em!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PLUM DISTRICT.

Haute Mom Dilemma #26 ~ Lions, and Tigers, and Teeth, Oh My!

I am still having teething issues.  The little one's two little bottom teeth have both popped through, one just days behind the other.  The problem is that most of the pain seems to come with the night, making bed time and sleep difficult.  I have been looking for things to try to help soothe Stella and am not entirely convinced that baby Tylenol and Orajel are doing the trick.  I have yet to find and try teething tablets but know that there is a certain ingredient in them that I want to avoid.  The problem with that is I can't remember what the ingredient is so until I Google search, I can't do anything anyway. 

With all the teethers, nets, and devices we have for Stella to gnaw on it appears that my shoulder and Blackberry are her favorite to chew on.  I also heard a frozen washcloth may serve the purpose and am willing to give ANYTHING a try.

The nighttime update still has Stella sleeping in bed with me and nursing her back to sleep in the wee hours of the morning.   My poor hubby is still sleeping on the floor in my parents extra bedroom and no doubt getting more sleep than the rest of us.  I am struggling with doing what is best for my piece of mind and risking the threat of this sleep with mom pattern that we have gotten into. 

I wonder if the first two teeth are the worst and then my usually happy baby will return for the rest of them or if this will continue for months.  I guess only time will tell along with the beaver-like marks I now have on my left shoulder.  The good news is grandma gets a try at it tomorrow while we take off to the local mountains for a day of skiing in powder.  Yipeee with a touch of guilt mixed in! :)

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!  After a long road trip from Southern to Northern California with Stella, our dog, and my brother we made a slower than usual drive up to my parents.  The hubby had to stay back to work at our store.  It is always nice to be home in the house you grew up in, no matter what anti-anxiety meds you must take to be under the same roof with your parents again.  Stella was a trooper all the way here and she was already getting spoiled the moment we walked through the door.

I was bummed that my hubby would not be flying in until late on Christmas Eve but I sucked it up and went to a Christmas Eve dinner with the rest of my family.  To my surprise, my brother walked in about a half hour later with hubby in tow.  He had surprised me and taken an early flight!  It meant the world to me that he was here in time to kick off the Christmas Eve festivities.  The night ended with hubby sleeping on the floor and me and Stella in bed sound asleep to counteract her new teething, sleep issues. Aaaahh, life with a baby.

This morning has been a whirlwind, like all Christmas mornings are.  I have my elastic waist leggings on with a tunic to keep up my haute mom appearnace while I bid all dieting instincts farewell until tomorrow. I hope all of you are making the Blissini's from Sunday's post like we are!  Happy holidays to all of you and wishing you the joyous of times on this very special holiday. 

Zootie Patootie Giveaway Winner

Our winner of the Zootie Patootie Leg warmer giveaway is #21 -Kady! Kady is extra deserving of these darling accessories since she is planning on giving them as a gift!  We couldn't ask for anything better to get us in that holiday spirit.  Kady has been notified by email and will get to choose the boy or girl set.  Congratulations to Kady!  Thanks to everyone who entered and keep watch for the next giveaway coming up after Christmas.               

Haute Mom Dilemma #25 ~ Terrible Teething

For months and months I have thought that Stella was going to sprout a tooth.  The chewing, gnawing and drooling have been going on for the past three months and I was sure that a tooth would make an appearance by Halloween...then Thanksgiving...Well bottom tooth #1 has finally appeared and with it so has fussy baby and sleepless nights!



Stella showing off her new tooth - 12.18.10
 (you may need a magnifying glass)

I have done the baby Tylenol, the frozen teethers, the Orajel, and I just bought a teething net that I can load with frozen fruit.  I am currently on a search for teething tablets which seem to have been taken off the shelves at every local Target even though I have taken Stella out in our Southern California's once a year downpour.  What's up with that Target?  You have plenty of things I don't need but buy anyway and you can't have my back this one time? In the meantime, I have been bringing Stella into our bed every night around 3 or 4 a.m. and let her nurse herself to sleepy land.  I am sure she is getting spoiled but what's a tired mommy to do?

Well, as I have learned as a haute mom in the past seven months, be careful what you wish for.  I couldn't wait for a little tooth to come popping through and with it came all kinds of fun (insert sarcasm here). I also have been wishing for crawling....maybe I should rethink that.

Thrifty Thursday...even though it's Monday.

This deal is to good to wait until Thrifty Thursday to post! Seven Slings is having a promotion for a FREE sling of your choice while supplies last!  Christmas has come early haute moms!  This is a traditional sling, with no belts, loops, or buckles and minimal wrapping.  The only thing you have to pay is tax and shipping!  The slings retail for $39 and can be used with infants to toddlers up to 35 pounds.

All you have to do is enter to promotional code "FIT" at checkout.  Shipping runs about $11.95 which is a bargain for a hip baby sling.  Even if you don't need one, I bet you know someone that does, so take advantage!  I did!

Lazy Sunday Cocktails!

After a stream of holidays parties, I was thinking about how a fun, festive drink at a party seems to make things come together. We all get tired of the old wine and beer selection and personally, I am not an egg nog fan (we won't even go there with it's calories now that I am back into my pre-preggy jeans). Sometimes my family has been known to whip up a cocktail on the holidays, especially on Christmas day while we enjoy noshing on snacks and opening our gifts.

I looked up some holiday concoctions but so many of them, although look amazing, take almost as much prep as cooking Chrsitmas dinner! Drinks are supposed to help you relax not add one more thing to the list. I found a very easy holiday drink that is fit for drinking morning, noon, or night (it's 5:00 p.m. somewhere) and easy to make. Giada di Laurentiis is behind this one and how can you go wrong from a chef that looks like she does, right haute moms? She calls it the Blissini and it is a fun, festive spin on a mom's best friend, the mimosa. Cheers!

Fashion Friday

The Carilyn Vaile pants that I tested this week were Carilyn’s TZ23 pant. As I described last week, these pants are super comfy and have a waist band that can turn the pants into a low, middle, or high waist. Even more fun, my personal favorite, you can pull the waist all the way up to wear it like a strapless jumpsuit! This is great for warmer weather AND the nursing mom (that’s me).

I first wore the pants to work and the first thing I liked about them was the wrinkle free fabric. One of my pet peeves is when you get out of the car or stand up from sitting at your desk and the pants are wrinkled. The pants survived the day without one wrinkle! The elastic waist (I wore a mid-high waist that day, almost like a cummerbund) was very comfortable and the wide legs even more so. I was thinking that next time I could probably wear some knee-high boots underneath without them showing a bulge. I have the dark grey ones that go with just about anything.

I haven’t tried them out as comfy pants but just from wearing them for one day, I know that I could go home, throw on a hoodie and flip flops and be able to be haute while hanging around the house with Stella or running errands.

These pants are QUITE the bargain considering you have dress pants, comfortable loungers and a stylish jumpsuit all in one! Stay tuned for next week when I test these babies out as part of my casual vacation since we are trekking home to chilly Northern California for Stella’s first Christmas at my parents’ house! I bet they will look great tucked into my winter furry boots!

Check them out at Carilyn Vaile!

Haute Mom's Club First Member

To launch the Haute Mom's Club, I chose the first member myself. This mom is the ultimate haute mom living in a boy's world! She has three haute blogs and has done so much to help me start my own blog, Haute Mom. Her name is Lisa Robertson and is a self-declared girly-girl in every sense of the word. She collect teacups, vintage hats and gloves, sterling silver bits and pieces. She love all things Disney, jewelry, and great shoes. What haute mom doesn't?
Read more about her...

Are you a haute mom or know someone who is? Let me know and join the Haute Mom's Club!

Thrifty Thursday

I have a great deal for this week's post, especially this close to the holidays. My favorite nursing cover company, Udder Covers has a promotion on their Nursing Cover Gift Sets right now!

Go to http://www.uddercovers.com/ , click on "Shop Now", scroll down to the gift sets, select the one you would like and you will automatically be repositioned to the center of the page where you can enter in the

promo code “Christmas”! Type in Christmas and it will bring your product total to $5!

We are not sure how long this promotion can last. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new browser/window to do so.

This promotion gives you 1 gift set for $5 + S&H! This promotion code is valid once per transaction, so you can order as many times as you would like! Even if you aren't nursing, we all know someone who is or who will be!

Happy Holidays!

Haute Mom Dilemma #24 ~Bah Humbug!

One of my fondest memories is going to a department store to pick out my annual Christmas ornament.  My mom used to take us to the Home section of the department store where they would have endless trees and buckets with tons of ornaments just waiting to be taken home.  Our tradition was that we could each get a new ornament each year; a tradition that I still continue to do every year for my own tree.

This year, I have been looking extra hard at ornaments, especially for a "Baby's 1st Christmas" one.  I have my own first Christmas ornament still.  It is a metal angel with my name engraved on one side and the year I was born on the other.  It even has my birth weight and height.  I have wanted something like this for my own baby and now that I have the baby, I am missing the ornament.

Seriously, all you stores that want to rip me off and take advantage of me during the holidays, I am ready.  I will pay whatever you want me to for a special Christmas ornament to mark Stella's first Christmas.  There are no takers.  Literally....none. There are cheap ornaments, wooden ornaments, ceramic, plastic, I even saw ones that were made from plastic spoons today but I can't find a quality "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament anywhere.   And in the department stores...don't even get me started.  The only chain store that I have seen any ornaments in is Target.  Cute and trendy but not what I am looking for this year.  What happened to the beautiful, quality ornaments that used to so much be a part of Christmas?  Since when did ornaments become a thing of Christmas past.  Argh.

On a brighter note, Stella had her first meeting with Santa and she didn't even bat an eye...or shed a tear which is what we really thought was going to happen.  We are still exploring the notion that Stella had no idea that Santa was human since he didn't say a word and barely moved but it's alright with me...the pictures are darling!

A special thanks to the Sinks ladies for Stella's Santa Baby dress!

Lazy Sunday ~ New and Improved

Today Lazy Sunday brought on a whole new meaning.  After my first week back at work, and a little separation anxiety, I was excited to spend the weekend home with Stella.  We had plans last night to join our friends on their boat for our city's annual Christmas boat parade and I couldn't wait to see how Stella enjoyed her first time on a boat as well as all the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations. I spent yesterday with Stella running errands in preparation for the boat parade and felt like I fell a little short of my quality time with her, so today I was determined to do nothing but hang out, just Stella and I (the hubby worked today at our store).

After my husband left for work, I decided to do nothing but enjoy Stella.  The weather was beautiful (82 degrees in sunny Southern California) but I didn't want to put her in the stroller and take her for a walk because that would offer minimal interaction, and likely nap time.  So aside from sitting on the porch we stayed inside, read books, played with blocks, and did the usual seven month old activites including my personal favorite, took naps. 

You gotta love those blocks

The snow globe and forshadowing that she inherited mom's ability to close her eyes in pictures.

This is the first day I learned the true meaning of quality family time.  I think I took being home with Stella forgranted in that I didn't know how precious our time was together until I didn't have it.  Now that I am back at work, my time home with her should be focused, at least for one day.  I sat and watched her laugh at this Christmas electric snow globe we bought her for hours.  No really, it entertains her for hours.  How I can squeeze in cleaning, errand running, grading for my college classes, and all the other "to do's" will have to get worked out but until then, Sunday's are reserved for some mommy-daughter time.  I even waited until she fell asleep to post. The empty fridge, dust bunnies in the corners, and dirty laundry will all have to wait until another day because my Sundays have just become truly lazy Sundays. 

Fashion Fridays

Welcome to Fashion Fridays!  One of the things I was reminded of during my first week back at work after nine months off, was the hassle of playing the “What to Wear” game. For me, it has been even more challenging as I try to see which of my old work clothes are forgiving around the last seven or eight pounds that I have left to lose. In the spirit of my obsessive need to stay haute, I looked to my good friend, ultimate haute mom and fashion designer, Carilyn Vaile for advice.

Carilyn Vaile is someone who makes juggling a career, kids, and home life look as easy as filing your nails. She has designed her clothes, Carilyn Vaile, for over 20 years, with the woman-on-the-go in mind. She believes that clothing should be fun, fashionable, and forgiving in a world where the multi-tasking woman should not have to worry about what she wears. Her designs can be described as “multi-functional” with dresses that can be worn forwards or backwards and skirts that double as tunics or dresses. Even better, she saves us all time and money by using fabrics that do not require dry cleaning, and are wrinkle resistant. You can find endless possibilities with just a few, key pieces from Carilyn’s line and a quick change from heels to flip flops.
Here is an excerpt from Carilyn’s article “Runway to Momway”:

“Thinking of Wonder Woman…as i often do heroically (i like to think) hustling throughout my day… The tight, shiny blue granny panties (my personal favorite) adorned with stars of excellence, the long luxurious and obviously organic-conditioned hair, the thick gold bracelets (solid, I’m sure) and of course her most defining accessory… the all-ensnaring Lasso of Truth! At many times in my career (not to mention my relationships) I would have loved to have had that lasso thrown around the writer’s and editor’s of countless women’s magazines, exposing the widespread misrepresentations, half-truths and ill advised directions regarding the daily fashion demands of the REAL Wonder Women of this world who juggle daily family, career, and countless demands and expectations. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not my intention to take away anything from the innovators of “art as fashion” that provide us with dazzling eye-candy and the can’t-live-without knowledge as to what country Brangelina’s next baby will come from…but, we all don’t live on Paradise island, and in the midst of all the smoke and mirrors the fashion industry has to offer, I am a realist and I’ve created a “Real-List”. I’m an entrepreneurial mother of 2 with a career and lifestyle that never sleeps. You’re not going to find me in thigh-high stilettos and leather boy shorts with a sheer shirt and vest as suggested in last seasons fashion pages unless I’m moonlighting as a stripper to put my girls thru kindergarten.

“Free time” is a commodity hard to find in a lady’s life these days. Split a mother’s day into a pie chart and using a microscope you’ll see the slice called “self-time”. Which is why over the last twenty years as a designer and stylist I’ve made it my mission to make women’s daily fashion realities much easier to swallow. Our cover mom Nicki Taylor was one of my first muses in regards to making multi-functional, easy-to-understand yet stylish fashion. My idea for “effortless-chic” attire came from seeing her extremely fresh and relaxed look and attitude all while keeping up with her twins. Given my understanding and first-hand knowledge that a woman must often be many things at many times I have felt my obligation was and remains to provide women a wardrobe that does the same.”

To help this mom stay haute and go from “Runway to Momway” as I return back to work, Carilyn has supplied me with some key pieces from her latest collection. The pieces she selected for me are versatile, comfortable, forgiving, and give me easy access to my new side kick at work, my Medela Breastpump. Over the next few weeks, Haute Mom’s new addition, Fashion Friday, will update all of you out there with these pieces in action (yes, I will take pictures), fashion tips and hints from Carilyn to help us stay haute, and even special Haute Mom access to Carilyn Vaile and her collections. I will be putting an awesome pair of pants to the test at work. In the meantime, browse her fabulous collections on the Carilyn Vaile website!

I will leave you with a couple of what Carilyn calls her "C2C"s (Catwalk to arpool) in the realm of working, keeping up with your kids, and looking haute while doing it.

• (Muffin-top concealer): Architecture inspired apparel works wonders for the baking region of the belly. A well engineered “sack” dress can look very chic when worn over skinny jeans or Xanadu Style leggings.
• (Be prepared): always keep a signature accessory in the diaper bag, your purse, the lunch box, trunk or all of above. A lightweight scarf, large pins, and chunky jewelry can be a life/face saver! I’ve learned this lesson the hard way! More than once I’ve needed that scarf to drape over unexpected leaking breasts and then tied down around my waist to hide the gum I sat on in the car. I thought I said “no chewing gum in the car”? It’s amazing the places gum shows up.

Thrifty Thursday ~Blogger Call for Help!

In the spirit of Christmas shopping and the mad rush, I have decided to make the majority of my purchses from the comfort of my own home.  All of the gifts I have bought so far have bene online through various websites, and the good deals keep coming. Many of you mommy bloggers have helped me out by posting sites and companies that are offering some great bargains (like Old Navy sweaters, buy one get one free!). 

For this post I was hoping we could all help a mommy out and share our favorite shopping sites for the holidays.  Don't just limit it to kids stuff, our parents, siblings, and spouses all need some holiday cheer too!  I have tons of places to get Stella stuff but what about for the hubby and other adults?!

My favorite sites for the holidays are:
Mamabargains - great deals for the little ones
Green Baby Bargains - graet deals for your babes and all product are environmentally friendly!
Chunky Bling - fun, inexpensive jewelry for the siblings, and girlfriends

Check out my favorite sites and more importantly, list yours to share with the rest of us!

Zootie Patootie Leg Warmers Giveaway

Well all you haute moms, I promised a giveaway today so here it is.  Remember my post on one of my favorite baby items, Zootie Patootie Leg Warmers?  Well now, to get everyone in the holiday spirit, I will be giving a set away! Yup, To share my joy and love for these little accessories, I have decided to giveaway a boy or girl (depending on which you prefer) of Zootie Patootie Leg Warmes in their fabulous prints!  Your little one will get to be as haute as you.

Zootie Patooties are perfect for the crawling baby, making diaper changes a snap while still keeping your little ones legs warm, and for snazzing up an outfit.  Yes, I said snazzing.  As the weather gets colder, I am also predicting that they will come in handy as an extra layer when you are out enjoying all the fun Christmas festivities.  Not sure if they will work for you?  That's OK, enter anyways...they are free!

To enter you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me why you would like to win a set of Zootie Patootie Leg Warmers! This is required and must be complete before you do any of the extra entries!

Extra Entries - leave one comment telling me you have done each of these.

-Subscribe to Haute Mom blog

-Join Haute Mom on Networked Blogs

-Like Haute Mom on Facebook

-Change your Facebook status to mention the giveaway and leave a link

-Follow Haute Mom on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ktenny)

-Tweet about this giveaway by leaving a link to my site (up to once a day)

-Blog about the giveaway on your own blog - leave me a link

-Grab my button and add it to your blog – leave me a link

Stella's princess leg warmers

Stella loves her pink camo ones too!

The winner will receive a set of  leg warmers (boy or girl, your choice) in various designs.  The giveaway will end Monday, December, 20th at 9 p.m. PST.  The winner will be selected using Random.org.  Good luck!

Haute Mom Dilemma #23 ~ Heading Back to Work

Today Stella has been quite the sleepy head! She slept about nine hours last night and is on her second, two hour nap of the day. Whether it is due to her teething or a growth spurt, I have had her resting on my chest, snuggling into me for almost four hours today.  The time with Stella is always enjoyable but today, this time is extra special to me.  As I write this blog, and kiss her little head, I am overwhelmed with anxiety and sadness.  It is time to go back to work.

I interviewed for that position that I shared weeks ago and got it!  So, I will not be returning to the seventh grade classroom, but will be working as a Teacher on Special Assignment in the Health Curriculum office.  The hours are slightly longer, but after much discussion with my hubby, family, and my new boss, I am confident that this will be an amazing position for me as a professional as well as a mom.  I have been anticipating this position for some time and now that the time is here, I am full of mixed emotions.  Starting this position also means it is time to leave my baby and head back to work full time and in the spring, being a new mommy with two jobs.  I will be working at the district full time and teaching classes at the university two nights a week.  I have worked so hard to get to where I am in my career, yet feel very strongly about letting something go so that I am home every night with my daughter.

There is so much thought that goes into whether or not to be a working mom.  I know that some don't have a choice, but we are in a position where, with some budgeting restraints, could have made things work with me staying home.  There are a number of goals my husband and I still have for our family, one of which is buying a new home and so we felt that my going back to work would help us achieve the things that we want in life.  I also know many moms who find themselves a little lost once their children are old enough to go to school and, being so career focused, did not want to lose my place with nothing to return to when the school years hit.  So, I am now brushing off my work clothes (which, I am excited to get back in to) and diving back in.  I hope it is a move I will be proud of and not one that I regret.

I found myself choked up while running errands without Stella yesterday because I wanted her with me.  I expect that these will be my feelings for the days to come as I get used to being away from her.  I am almost paralyzed when I think of going a full day without kissing her, hugging her, comforting her, and hearing her babble and laughter.  I pray that our nanny can comfort her like I do when she is fussy because her two bottom teeth are fighting their way through.  And, my biggest fear, is that we won't be as close as we are now; that our bond will be shaken.

In the grand scheme of things, I know that having seven months off with Stella is something that so many women dream of having.  I am so fortunate to have been able to spend that much time off with her.  I also know how lucky I am to be where I am in my career, where I have a number of opportunities available.  I remind myself that if I can find a balance, I will be a great role model for Stella as she gets older. I used to be a planner but my new haute mom role has taught me that sometimes, the highers that be have their own plans for you.  I am going to stay in the moment and let things unravel the way they were meant to be.  I am so thankful that I have had this time with my daughter and know that the time I do spend with her will be that much more special.

I will be bringing a box of kleenex with me (tucked in my pump bag) to catch the tears that may fall the first couple of weeks.  I have a new found respect for all of you haute moms who went back to work weeks after your little ones were born and you can add one more working mom to the bunch starting this Tuesday!
 

How can I leave this smiling face!?



ReUsies Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to entry #25, Lisa Robertson, The Disneyland Mom, who is our giveaway winner selceted by Random .org. I know you will enjoy your ReUsies set in whatever haute design you choose! Please let me know your top three designs of choice and ReUsies will ship one of them directly to you.  Enjoy!

Thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway and thanks to ReUsies who generously sponsored our giveaway!  For the rest of you, I HIGHLY recommend ordering a few of these environmentally friendly bags.  They are very afffordable and we can all do our part in helping the environment. They would also make great little Christmas gifts for others!

Come back on Monday for the start of the next Haute Mom giveaway, a boy or girl set of Zootie Patooties leg warmers - just in time for the winter!

Thrifty Thursday - Fun For the Savvy Mommy!

This week's Thrifty Thursday is something that will get all you haute moms excited, and not just because of the deals!  I have found a website called Plum District that is specifically for us savvy moms and our families.  They offer local deals everyday, at a great discount.  All you have to do is sign up, and every day you will receive at least one email to an unbeatable deal in your area.  The deals will range from baby products, to discount on haute clothing brands, spa treatments, and excercise classes.  Yesterday, I purchased a customized book for Stella, normally $40 for just $19!  You purchase online and then receive a printable voucher to use.  In my case, I simply entered the code online without having to print anything out or leave the couch! Today you can get $20 of Kidz Bop merchandise for just $10.  What a perfect way to stuff those stockings without having to battle the Christmas rush!  I love waking up in the morning and seeing what great deals await me!  Even better, they give an extra $5 off if you purchse in your first seven days. Have fun haute moms!  This one is for you so go and treat yourself! Check out Plum District now!