Haute Mom Goes Running

Running was and still has been one of my favorite ways to get some "me" time and stay in shape.  I know many people don't like to run but I found once you find your stride, it is quite addicting and therapeutic; like shoe shopping but better for the haute mom figure!  I have decided to participate in a half marathon event at Disneyland in January.  I figure since we love Disneyland so much, and I love running so much, it would be a perfect fit.  The only problem is I haven't run more than 3 miles since I have had Stella so it's time to ramp up my running shoes.  Running after a baby (and with baby) is world's apart from before.  I realized it is like getting back on a bike after many years, only this bike has square wheels and weighs about 20 pounds more. 

I have been asked to be a writer for a fantastic new blog called Disneyland Runners.  It is a community blog by and for both runners and aspiring runners who participate in Disneyland Resort 5K, half marathon, and marathon races.  Those of you who always wish you could can stop on by as well!  I will be posting a weekly article about running and everything associated with running.  My piece is called "Kelley's Healthy Habits". Is there something you would like to read about?  Let me know! My first post is up and talks about my experience with hitting that pavement again after having Stella.  For many of you, I know that you may be in the same position.  It's hard to stay haute after a baby but we can all do it.  Check out my own issues with getting started and let me know what you think.  Even better, share your own stories about getting back into something you loved doing after having your little ones!

Kelley's Healthy Habits: The importance of starting off slowly

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 ~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!

And the Winner Is...

Haute Mom received another fabulous award! Thank you to OnlineSociologyDegree.net who awarded us as a Top Blog on Parenting Babies. They have decided that this blog is an excellent resource on parenting for their students. Thanks to all you haute moms out there who have given the advice that I am sure helped us get there!

Giving Thanks Week 4

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Although this is normally my Lazy Sunday post, I decided that what better day to give my last week of thanks than on the day that inspired it all!  When I think about how much my life has changed since Stella was born, I think back to all of the things that have helped me along the way to being a haute mom.  I have given thanks to my friends, my family, and to the roof I have over my head.  As I look at all that I have, there is one more group of people that I would like to thank.

I am thankful for my fellow mommies.  By fellow mommies I mean my other mommy friends old and new and I also mean all of you out there who I have never met.  Some of the kindest words and notes of support have come through on this blog, from others that I do not know.  I look forward to seeing many of your comments and your supportive cheering from the sidelines.  It often overwhelms me how many of you are faithful readers and have become mentors to me through a simple thing as a blog.  I have made wonderful contacts with many of you even though you are on the East Coast, and some as far as Canada!

When I started this blog, so many of you stepped forward and have blessed me by giving me awards, and featuring me on your own blogs.  With something that started off simply as a journal of my experiences, I found the best support through strangers where the only link we have is blogging and mommyhood.  The power of being a mommy never fails to amaze me, and the network of bloggers has done the same.

I dedicate this post to all of you, whether I know you or not, who have unselfishly given me five minutes of your time to write words of encouragement.  I especially thank all of you who visit me regularly and who make me smile when I see a comment from you on one of my posts.  You have provided support and made me laugh during the hardest of times, and continue to do so.  Know that you have touched the life of a stranger all the way in sunny California just for reaching out.  For this I am thankful. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...from my family to yours.

A First Time Award Winner Pays It Forward!

I have had a fantastic week thanks to two of my fellow mommy bloggers! Ramblings Of A Stay At Home Mom and Heard It From the Hills have both chosen Haute Mom as one of their award recipients! That's right, Haute Mom was chosen by two fabulous blogs to receive awards!

Awards given by Ramblings Of A Stay At Home Mom

Award given by Heard It From the Hills

In order to accept these awards there were only a few things I was asked to do, both were pretty similar:

• Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass this on to 12/15 other great bloggers you recently discovered.
• Contact the selected bloggers and tell them about their award.

Since one award asked for 12 blogs and the other asked for 15, I am going to pass these awards on to 15 blogs. I know there are more than 15 amazing blogs out there so this will be a little easier for me to do! :) So here I go with my new found task at hand and thanks so much to my two fellow bloggers! Make sure you check out their fantastic, award winning blogs too!

7 Things About Me
1. I LOVE the Dave Matthews Band, in a teen groupie kind of way.
2. I ski but don't snowboard.
3. Jeans are my favorite things to buy but I loathe trying them on.
4. My favorite cakeis Red Velvet.
5. I am afraid of heights, which can make #2 difficult.
6. I am a runner and yes, I actually enjoy it.
7. I make a mean Rocky Road.

And now, the 15 haute blogs who I pass these awards onto are (in no particular order):

Mom's Tree House The Meditative Mom Me, The Man, & The Baby Be One Fine Day

Be sure to visit these great blogs. I know you will enjoy them as much as I do!