Summer Style Rut . . .

I won't deny it.  The past few summers, I have been in a major clothing rut.  Now part of this has to do with being unable to devote more than a few dollars here and there to my wardrobe.  But the major issue has been dealing with a body going through major changes.  I was pregnant, recovering from surgeries or major illnesses, the list never really ends.  When I know my body is going to be changing a lot, I really don't devote major chunks of time and money to it.  The result is me in a pretty humdrum "wardrobe" if you can even call it that.

So, my question to you is this? How do you keep your "look" or "style" going when your size is forever changing?  I'd love some input.  More later, but for now I need to go stand in front of a fan.  It's sickeningly hot in the house!

Frugal Clothing

This weekend I was in dire need of some new clothes. My body is going through some weird change, probably because of my new workout routine and change in eating habits. I was down to one pair of shorts and three shirts to last me the entire summer season. Not good...especially when ninety-percent of all we do is outside and I have a toddler and a kindergartner who think my clothes are napkins!

I decided to go to a local thrift store, in a community that is wealthy. I was amazed by what I found. I got a pair of shorts, capris, and a dress all for under $9.00. The items were all namebrand and in great condition. Each memmber of my family got multiple items of clothing, we spent $24.00 all together.

There are some keys I have found for buying new to you clothing and getting the most for your time and money.

1. Choose a community or town that is wealthier or known for it's fashion.

2. Don't be ashamed, you are getting a bargain for new clothing.

3. Find clothes that fit you today, not that you may fit into when you lose five pounds. That is not spending your money wisely.

4. Check for holes, snags, stains, etc. on each item. Yes, it may only be $3.00, but that is $3.00 that will turn into more or go to waste if you settle.

5. Set a limit before you go shopping. It is very easy to say "this is only $2.00", "this is $3.00" and then you will nickle and dime yourself into a bind. The key is to save money.

You can find garage sales in your local newspaper or classifieds the week before the sales. Mark out a route, get up early, and make a morning of it. I enjoy making it a family event, but if you would prefer to make it a "me-time" morning, that would be fun also.

Have fun shopping!
- Rebecca

You are beautiful

Last night I went to a Luau themed party. As I was getting ready to go, and looking might cute I might add, I couldn't help but think of my self-confidence.

As moms we have quirks with our body's that we did not have before we were moms. Our once perky breasts may resemble more of a deflated punching ball after breastfeeding our children. The tummy that we used to strut around in our bikini has become the victim of stretch marks and scars that is neatly hidden behind a tankini. Oh yes, and the showers that we used to be allowed to take for an hour indulging ourselves in exfoliating, shaving, and cleaning has now been narrowed down to the bare necessity of the day....usually depending on if we're going to sleep in shorts or not that night! All in good humor, our bodies have taken a beating for our children. Naturally our confidence will sag...along with some other things!

Take time today to accentuate the good things. I feel I have a very attractive shoulder and upper chest area. I accentuate this with halters and necklaces. If you have awesome calves, bring attention to those with bermuda shorts or a length of skirt that accentuates the calf.

Take time to paint your toenails, buy a quick drying polish so you don't have to wait for it to dry. Find a hairstyle that is attractive on you and is easily styled.

As silly as it may sound and feel, tell yourself in the mirror each morning "I am beautiful, I am loved, I am sexy, and I am one hot mama!" then go confidently about your day!!

XOXO,
Rebecca

Product Reviews For Summer Beauty

Sara here and Happy Memorial Day to you all!

It's summer!  We've established that and I'd like to tell you about a few cheap finds I got recently to make my summer a little prettier!  Let me just remind you, for a long time, I was a die hard "expensive beauty products only" kind of gal.  But I'm a mama on a budget now and after a few trials and errors, I've found a few things I love this summer that I really want to share with  you all.

-First up ELF cosmetics.  Of all places, you'd never expect to find these little gems, I found them at our grocery store. And every single one is a dollar!  Now at that price, I could afford to replace a few things like some sad makeup bushes, some lip balm that was tinted peach, and especially a cuticle oil pen!  I spent $6 and got 6 things that usually cost way, way, way more.  The makeup brushes, while made of synthetic fibers are soft, blend easily, and look to be very durable.

-Walmart brand Equate Healthy Glow Firming gradual tan lotion used to be such.a.nightmare. It smelled awful, it was splotchy in application and was a general overall waste of time.  However, after sniffing a tube of the "new improved formula, I gave it another try.  I had a coupon too so I got it for about $3.50!  It's normally $4.67 I believe.  They've really improved and minimized the scent, and the new formula seems to really be much easier to use.  I read an article on better application of self tanners, so I will share that with you soon, but honestly the only places I had any splotches were on some dry and rough skin on my feet and hands (which should be expected).  It washed off of my hands very nicely and the scent was very light,  clean, and endurable.

-I've recently started to get into Garnier Fructisse hair styling products and one that's especially good for the summer is their new "Instant Color Sealer Lightweight Leave In".  It's got Acai Berry and Grapeseed oil, so the scent is very nice and overall it is MUCH lighter weight than a lot of serums and leave ins.  I've come to use it every day, whether I'm outside long or not.  At $3.33, it was well worth the money.  My hair color is looking good and my hair is soft and manageable.

-Nails, nails, nails.  Nails are so important to me.  I used to just gnaw them down to bloody stubs but NO MORE.  I made a commitment to stop biting, and keep my nails at a short and filed easy length to manage.  I'm a big fan of nail strengtheners but I've become an even BIGGER fan of three nail polishes I want to tell you about!

-So remember when we were all younger and Wet-n-Wild was pretty darned awful stuff? Gloppy, sloppy, cheapo but we all used it anyhow?  Well it seems someone got the message it was time for a revamp and behold their Megalast Nail colors!!  I have one in "candy-licious Pink" (don't judge- it's pretty) and it lasted the entire week.  But I do believe it had a little help from my Sally Hansen "Hard As Nails" top coat which is also quick drying.  I love the quick dry formula and it really keeps my nails from being bendy and brittle as they can be.  Last but not least, I did splurge on some new nail colors for Mother's Day.  One of them was Essie's "Lilacism" which at first I really wasn't sure about because it's more towards the blue end of lilac or lavender but the more I wear it, the more I go for it's unconventional neutral appeal.  Do check it out, you may be surprised.  As I work on my tan (I know, I know) it seems to look better and better.

Alright, Happy Memorial Day!  We had a picnic and spent some time at the park before I had deep fun mowing our lawn and our neighbors.  It's naptime now but tonight I will be treating myself to a lavender scented bubble bath and hope you all do something nice for yourself this week too. 

Much love!

Sara Rose

Beyond Tanks, Tees, and Shorts

It's hot...I've already established that it is hot right now. The easiest thing to do is slip on a tank top, shorts, and flip flops. The most easiest thing to do is to where the same outfit five days a week over my bathing suit. This is why I am not only contributing to "Mamas Fashion Rehab", but I am also a recovering blah junkie.

Each day I have to make a personal and willful decision to not put on the gray bermuda shorts and plum tank top that I have been wearing faithfully for the past four months. I have to look at my closet as frugally kept as it is and have to decide what will keep me cool, comfortable, and most of all cute. Right now I am absolutely in love with Old Navy Cabana Dresses. Airy, bright, and comfy....looks good over my swimsuit or a tank and flip flops scream "I am a beach bum!" It's ease and fashionista in one. I can wear it in the morning, to the pool or beach, to lunch, to Happy Hour at Sonic, and finally out at night if I want to.

Another must have for me is halters from Banana Republic. I love my shoulders and chest area (ladies, forget about the body parts that you are insecure about and focus on the ones that make you feel good about yourself and flaunt it), the halter is perfect fit and it accentuates the body parts I love most. That paired with a summer skirt or shorts and of course flip flops can be worn night to day and is super comfortable.

Remember, even though it is bathing suit season, it doesn't mean you can only look cute in a bathing suit. Look cute each day, do something that will make you feel good about being you. As a wife, mother, homeschool educator, and all that being a stay at home mom and wife encompasses, I try to make an effort each day to do something for me that reminds me I am a lady and I deserve to feel beautiful.

Take time today for you, because you deserve it.

XOXO - in summertime bliss,
Rebecca

Sara Rose and Summer Beauty

Image via Wikipedia

Well we heard from our Southern Belle, Miss Rebecca, on her beat the heat beauty, now let's have some Midwestern beauty tips for the summer shall we?  Let me first start by describing eastern South Dakota summers with these words- hot, blustery, dusty, humid, humid, and not all that refreshing.  My fave times are early am and late evening when it's hot but the humidity and the wind have died down.  Let me make this clear, I love hot, sunny weather, but here we do manage to mix that with heap loads of humidity and grime.

So. First things first.  Skin.  I have a good complexion, actually a great one that I am REALLY proud of.  BUT, I worked my butt off for it.  I used to have really crappy skin and I have a few things that make me unhappy but whatever.  I've got dark under eye circles but other than that, I happened upon a skin regimen that really helps me skin look it's very best. 

Everyday, I use Cetaphil's Gentle Skin wash for normal/combination skin.  I use  Loreal brand eye makeup remover and heap-tons of lotion.  Daytime is Aveeno Positively Radiant with SPF 15 and night time is Oil of Olay Night Cream for sensitive skin or Clinique moisture Surge night time gel with antioxidants.  Weekly or twice weekly, I use a gentle scub by Melaleuca to get rid of dry stuff and then Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask.

I believe in  good skin care because honestly, if you take care of your skin, it takes care of you.  Feed it with PLENTY of water, lotion, and baths with moisturizing oils or salts.  Exfoliate weekly, and use lots of lotion every day.  Use sun screen, though I will admit that I am really bad at it.  The most you can get me in is SPF 15 if I remember.  I've never, that I can remember, had sun burns, and tan easily so that doesn't help my bad use of sun screen.  I'll get better!  I promise!

Now.  Let's talk makeup.  I used to be the foundation QUEEN back in pageant days.  As I've gotten older, I've begun to use less makeup but become more experimental with it.  Rebecca mentioneed clinique's Copper Penny eyeshadow and I used to wear that one too!  Now I gravitate towards really shimmery neutrals on the eyes or I'll do something bold, like a teal eyeliner or layer purples for a smokey eye hen I want to glam it up.

Mascara is my never ending struggle.  I have the palest and sparsest lashes ever.  If I don't wear some form of mascara every day, people think I'm dying (remember those eye circles?).  So on days I feel really minimal I use Cover Girl's water proof Mascara in brown (It comes in the blue tube), concealor (Loreal True Blend in W123), a bit of bronzer or Nars blush in Orgasm, and tinted lip balm.  I love Nivea's newest shimmery tinted lip balm.  It's not gooey at all.

For when I do glam it up more, I am a die-hard user of Clinique's "Almost Makeup".  It's somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a lower coverage foundation.  I also like their City Block Sheers.  Both have SPF (hurrah, right). I am still on the hunt for the perfect volumnizing and lengthening mascara to do SOMETHING with my puny lashes.  I do use the Cover Girl mineral blush/shimmer powder in Shimmering Sands because it is so sheer as an all over powder, dusting it on light.  I can't really go without powder, I do have combination skin.

I try to keep it light and easy in the summer.  A dime of sheer tinted moisturizzer, some concealor, some powder.  A little blush and mascara, a shimmery neutral on the eyelids, then an easy to deal with lip gloss. Done.

I do have a love of eyeliner and used to be a die hard, black only, eyeliner user.  I've branched out and started experimenting with pewters, plums, brown black, and teal.  I always follow it up with a shimmery neutral.  I do have a tip when one goes all out with eye shadows.  To really blend your darkest color tht you use in the corner and crease, put them on first then blend the lightest shadows over them to soften the whole effect and make it a little smokier.  I've recently gotten into the Almay and Cover Girl sets of eye shadow that are specific to eye colors but I always have my trusty super shimmery neutrals in my trousseau.

On my cheeks I either use Clinique's "Bronzer Blossoms" in almond or Nars' "Orgasm" blush.  I am the most experimental with my lips but tend to stick to sheer pinky browns for every day wear.  I recently got a Maybelline lip gloss in "Crazy for Caramel" and a few Cover Girl Lip Stains to try out.  I am almost always trying new things on my lips.

Last but not least, lets not forget nails!!! It's summer!  Have fun with bold brights or colors you may have never thought to try before!  Case in point, I bought Essie's "Red Label", "Lilacism", "Sugar Daddy", and "Mod Squad" on a whim (with major coupons from both Essie and Trade Secret) and I love them for summer.  I do my nails weekly.  Sometimes I only do nail strengthener, sometimes I go all out and do my nails up in a fun color and it perks me up the whole week.  Soon, I'll post some tips on how to get salon quaality mani/pedis at home.

Last but not least, lets talk hair.  I have a great pixie cut and strawberry blond hair that has been chemically enhanced to keep my childhood hair colr alive as long as possible.  I stumbled onto this absolutely fantastic new product Garnier's "UV/UBE COLOR SHIELD" that also helps act as a bit of a leave in conditioner.  It smells fantastic and is suited for any color of color treated hair.  Other than that, I deep condition weekly and because I have dry hair, I only "wash" it twice a week.  It gets rinsed daily but any more shampoo than that and I've got a 'fro.  I use Silk Drops and Garnier "Fiber Gum Putty" or "surf Hair" and a titch of Tresemme quick dry hair spray.  My hair takes less than ten minutes to do and I love it because it takes advantage of my natural wave and curls.

Last but not least, lets talk frgrance.  Honestly, my day isn't complete without a spritz of something on my collar bone but in the summer you just can't wear heavy scents.  See if your favorite scents have "sheer" versions or "body mists" or just find a signature summer scent.  My signature summer scents are Stella Sheer and Dior's Poison Tendre.  In the winter, you can't tear me away from Viktor and Rolf's Flower Bomb or Chanels Coco Mademoiselle.  I have yet to find sheer versions of either.

Have fun, gals!  Keep it beautiful, keep it easy, and most of all, remember that looking your best makes you a better mama and life a little brighter.  Don't forget to share your summer beauty tips too!

Fashion Mama Signing Off,

Sara Rose

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Fresh Summer Skin

I've received the question: "How do you keep your skin so fresh during the hot summer months?" several times. My key is keeping it minimal. I am a sweater (yes eeewww gross), and for me lotions and foundations are not good.

My summer time skin regimen is very simple, and quite inexpensive. I've been using this regimen since I was a teenager and can count on one hand the times I have had breakouts during the past fifteen years. I use the equate brand of cold cream to wash my face before bed each night, followed by three cotton balls of rubbing alcohol to get all the residual dirt and make up off, then if I need to I have started using Aveeno Simply Radiant moisturizer. I never use foundations during the summer time unless I am going somewhere at night and I know I will be in air conditioning, for me there is nothing worse than putting on foundation, going outside, sweating, and having it cake and crack...so gross!

My morning skin care routine for summer time is quite similar to the night time routine, skipping the rubbing alcohol unless I am oily or sweat during the night. I usually forgo the moisturizer as well.

Remember, right now your skin is adjusting from winter dryness to summer time humidity and heat. Baby your skin during this time and take time to do something special for your skin once a week. I enjoy mud masks on my face, and use the St. Ives products when I want to do something special for my face.

When washing your face, don't overkill with scrubbing. You should rub cleanser into your face for no more than 15 seconds and rinse with warm water.

Baby your face, as you get older you will be grateful you did.

Now,let's move on south from the face. I become very reptileish during the summer months, kind of scaly, most likely because I am constantly in chlorine or salt water and dry off via Mr. Sun! Bath and Body Works has sugar scrubs I absolutely love, they exfoliate the skin wonderfully (sugar scrubs are better than salt scrubs because if you have a scratch on your legs the sugar doesn't sting like the salt does). Exfoliating prior to shaving opens your pores and allows shaving to be more effective. After I exfoliate and shave and do all else I need to do in the shower, I apply moisturizer before I am completely dry, doing so allows the moisturizer to be sealed into the skin and I tend to have less scaliness. I recommend Nivea Firming Gradual Self Tanner, it has a wonderful scent, moisturizes terrific, and it tans gradually so it won't leave streaks...I love it, I love the added color that no matter makes me feel a little sexier.

Take care of your skin in the summer, wear lotion with a little spf to protect it from harmful rays, and enjoy showing it off!

Summer Time Hair and Makeup

I live in the deep south, seriously, I'm less than ten miles from the end of the United States. Today it was 95 degrees and it felt more like 115 degrees to me. I am forgoing most make up for the season and my hair, well, it is growing out and I have some cute highlights in it for the summer.

I spend my days during the summer time between the pool and the beach. I love being in the water, the salt water is amazing to my curly hair and I love the way it feels post-beach day. The chlorine in the pool, surprisingly, doesn't effect my hair except for the drying out part. My hair is naturally curly, so post-beach or pool the easiest thing to do is put a little curl gel in it and bobby pin the sides back. On days where I want to feel sexy, I straighten my hair. My hair is to my shoulders now (yay!), but my bangs arent quite below my ears. I am getting kind of tired of bobby-pinning the bangs back, but what's a girl to do?

Now, let's talk about summer time make-up! I am in love with Clinique's Copper Penny eyeshadow, I line my eyes with Avon's Emerald eyeliner over the copper penny eye shadow and put on some mascara, I am good to go! I love the way the combination makes my green eyes pop and how it makes me feel so pretty. For days I don't want to hassle with too much make up, I generally put some cover girl waterproof mascara on and some Avon Cheekers to make my tan cheeks a little pink.

I find it easy in the summer time to forget about doing anything to my hair. Moment of horror this week was when I realized I didn't wash my hair for six days!! It was very gross to think about....I must take time for myself even during the summer time.

So,all you mamas out there who need some summer time help as you go out for fun in the sun....keep it minimal, but keep it pretty.

Remember, you are a mommy, but you're a lady first.

XOXO,
Rebecca

It's even in magazines!

Image by Andreanna Moya Photography via Flickr

I was reading the May issue of InStyle, a magazine that I think combines both high and low end looks fairly successfully, when I stumbled across an article that capitulates what we're talking about here!  Mom's need makeovers!  It's not for other people, though there are critics who will always argue that fashion is "for other people" but rather for yourself and to remind you that, yes, there still is YOU under all that grub.  While the writer obviously has a budget that I don't have for new clothing right now she did manage some practical tips.

1. Shop your closet.  This is a no brainer but try everything on.  Put different outfits together.  You might surprise yourself with what you actually still have that's fashionable or can be updated with an accessory or two.
2. Start with little things.  If you can't afford a full on hair cut, coloring session, go in for a cheaper trim, and pick up a box of hair color that's the same shade as what you've already got. (If you have longer or thicker hair, you will need two boxes.)  Fresh color and even a trim can work magic on feeling dull.
3. Wear LESS makeup, but MORE consciously.  Practice a new look that has you pulled together and feeling confident, fast.  Go in and get a free makeover at a makeup counter.  Tell them what your lifestyle is and what kind of "look" you want to achieve on a regular basis.  Sometimes having a professional tell you how to get that "natural glow" is worth the time and then you can recreate the look, no matter what your makeup budget is.
4. Also do other little things.  Don't like wearing full on nail polish but your nails and cuticles are in shreds?  Once a week, file and shape your nails, put on a clear nail strengthener and then everynight before bed, use some heavy duty hand cream and/or cuticle oil.
5. Sell or donate what doesn't fit you.  Don't live for "but when I'm a size 6 again!!!!"  Dress for who you are now, be it size 00 or 16.
6. Create what you call you "uniform".  "The uniform" is unfailing.  It will get you though even the most fashion bleary days.  My personal uniform, now that it's spring, is a variety of black 3/4 sleeve tees, some lighter cardigans in bold splashy prints, and trouser jeans or trouser cut capris, and flats.  Small jewelry.  Your "uniform" should reflect the lifestyle you lead but take it one step up.  I may be a SAHM that freelance writes, but I take my kids places and I have my own meetings and life too.  So I choose things that suit me, work well in a few different settings and that can handle getting down and dirty with the kids.
7. Always have yourself in mind and not others.  If you dress to make yourself happy and confident, others will notice and take note or even complement you.  Case in point- yesterday I threw on trouser cut capris, black flats, a purple cami, and a purple & pink print cardigan.  I did my hair, put on a bit of makeup and threw on a necklace and bracelet.  Then I spritzed a bit of perfume on.  The first thing out of my husbands mouth, my husband who doesn't say a whole lot about my clothes? "Wow, you look great!  Let's go!"  I even got a little kiss and a pat on the tushie, so I'm thinking he was happy I took care of me.
   
   What can you do to start feeling better about you today?
   
   Signing off,
   
   Sara Rose

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In bed, eating and writing.

Uh huh.  Sara here.  We've watched The Princess and The Frog about 800 times in 3 days.  I have not showered.  I DID color my hair and paint my nails this weekend. That's where the lam ends, unfortunately.  My hair riht now is an awesome train wreck of bed head and probably lint.

Ugh. It's a good thing we rarely go on play dates.  Someone would institutionalize me.

I've done it....I've let myself go

It hit me on Monday - I've let myself go! I had an inkling that this did happen around November, but on Monday it was no longer an inkling.

On Monday we had a play date at a local park, I actually took initiative and got out of my workout clothes and into some decent clothes. Let's back up....in November I decided I would never lose the weight I gained with my last pregnancy, so therefore I gave away all of my clothes that were not fitting me that day, most of those being summer clothes. Well, lo and behold here I am in the size of the clothes that I gave away - 10 13 gallon bags of clothes I just gave away. So now I have two summer shirts and one pair of shorts. I wore my black bermuda shorts, an ivory sleevless shirt over a grey layering tank, of course I wore my flip flops. I even took my hair out of it's signature sad pony tail and put a head band in. As I was driving to the park, I reached down to scratch my leg and realized "way to go Bec, you didn't shave your legs" so I felt like a real loser. At the park I shared my woes with my girlfriends, they all laughed, but I think it was a pity laugh. One mom there was so cute in her Nike running shorts, matching t-shirt, and matching cap, she works at a gym so you can imagine what her body is like even though she has three kids. She told me I looked cute and that she looked homeless...my thought was, "uh-yeah, maybe I should start looking homeless". After hours at the park, we went home, on the way home I smelled something pretty rank - right in the area of saurerkraut...that's when I realized I didn't put on deodorant. Yeah - I've let myself go.

Yesterday, I stayed home all day and actually went from my pajamas to, yes you guessed it, my workout clothes. This is getting sad. My husband is even questioning my clothing choices, encouraging me to brush my hair, and telling me to bathe. My four year old questions now why I am putting on make-up, it used to be a part of daily life for me to put on make up and do something with myself.

I've been thinking, what in the heck are the reasons I've let myself go:
1. I'm the only girl in my houeshold, nobody tells me when I look cute or downright wretched.
2. I don't have time to get cute and take care of myself
3. I go to the gym at 4 am every day, I don't much feel like getting pretty after I have sweated for two hours first thing in the morning
4. I just had a baby -- okay I need to stop using this excuse, my baby is almost a year old
5. I don't have cute clothes

So - as you can see, I have a arsenal of excuses as to why I can't take care of myself. Then I thought about how I used to feel when I did take care of myself and my reasons that I did do it, and came up with this list:
1. I feel more confident when I am dressed and have make up on
2. I deserve to do nice things for myself
3. I am the only girl in my household, I should be super-feminine to couteract the testosterone
4. I want other moms to admire me (hee hee, you know you think that as well)
5. I'm only at this age and this season in my life once, I might as well make it pretty
6. I just feel good when I look good

There, I finally admitted it, I have let myself go.

Now I need to get off my workout gear clad rump, look at my fashion magazines, make a game plan, and become a girl again!

xoxo,
Rebecca

Step One: Admitting You've Let Yourself Go.

Image via Wikipedia

Oh today has been a rough one.  Poor baby Owen is at a pinnacle of grossness- teething, drooling nonstop, blow out after diaper blow out, spitting food everywhere.  It's been a day.  It's also raining, sloppy, and miserable outside.  So do I look like I stepped out of the pages of J.Crew today?   Nope.  I did attempt earlier.  even though I knew I would only be at home, hanging out with Owen, cooking, cleaning, and writing- I threw on some comfy but cute jeans, a new camisole, and a cute zip up fleece.  I did the hair, spritzed some perfume, and got some concealer and mascara on.  Life was looking okay.

Then, all the grossness happened, and the second my husband got home, I raced through the house for some yoga pants and one of his big tshirts.  Now, I'm writing in bed, looking less like a fashionably comfy mama nd more like a professional lifer college student.  So, there in comes the question, "Why get dressed 'up' to be at home?"  It's a perfectly acceptable one too.  It's just that f I don't put SOME modicum of effort nto myself for the day, I am less likely to get anything done.  Some gals can clean, cook, work, play with the kiddos, etc., all in their pjs. 

I just slog through the day, galumphing from the bed to the couch in hopes of more Oreos and a Lifetime movie.  So, even if I m just casually dressed- say yoga pants and a tank, and a hoodie, I do need to get.dressed.daily or else I just end up in that black hole where a week later I ask myself when the last time I brushed my teeth was.  To me, just rolling out of bed and attempting the day is letting myself go.

I believe a lot of women feel this way but we get stuck in the "Why bother" rut?  Then there's the social pressure of "If you're just at home, why bother? You look fine!"  I'm lucky to have one of those husbands who thinks my bedhead and unbrushed teeth are just as cute as a little black dress and stilletos.  But it's the same argument we have with those people who don't "think you need to workout" and such- it's for me!

As a mom, a wife, a writer, an adult, I just have so little time that I devote to myself.  There's this pressure that everything should be about everyone else, but really, you have to fit you in there too.  Ten years down the road, I don't want to be the mom who never took pics with my kids because I was just unkempt or think "I wish I would have . . . "

There are some who even argue that conforming to a look or even just caring is anti-feminist.  I find that to be really baffling.  Since when is taking time for me to feel better about me, as a woman and a person, is part of my personal definition of feminism and also femininity.  I would rather be the mom who cared enough to put on some blush and a cute top than the woman who looks like she emerged from a black hole when you see me at the grocery store.

Admitting that you've let yourself go is hard and it comes in stages.  I'll have those fired up days where I get myself all together, then I have "one of those weeks" where at the end of it, I realize I wore the same shirt for three days.  So it takes a constant low grade level of alertness and a personal definition of what your minimums and maximums are of getting yourself put together.  You have to set standards in every other area of your life, and personal maintenance is not to be ignored.

From what I've seen in my own life, everyone benefits when I try with myself a little bit more.  Because I took fifteen minutes this morning, I got far more done than I have other mornings where all I do is wander around in pj's wondering what to do.  Sure, I had to change clothes and now I'm back in comfy pj-like stuff, but I'm still working away because of that extra bit of effort I gave myself this morning.

So, as part of step one, I'm embarking on a little creative exercise.  Outlining what my own minimums and maximums are.  What I need to be productive, comfortable, and pulled together every day.  I came up with the idea a couple days ago to start setting my alarm about fifteen to thirty minutes before everyone else gets up.  During these few minutes, I brew my coffee, hop in the shower, and get dressed for the day for me.  Then when everyone else is up, I can set about the rest of the day with a bit of extra spring in my step.  There is really no reason why I shouldn't care just as much about my own grooming as that of my kids.

So now that I've admitted I have let myself go in two blogs, now I need to focus on what I need to get back to being me.  The fifteen minutes is a start, but like I said, I also need to hash out what will be my "standards".  Join me so we can all get back to feeling fab again.

Signing off-

Sara Rose

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Meet Sara!

Hi!  I'm Sara Rose and I author about a million other blogs and things.  I never have time to myself and it makes me want to tear my hair out.  But I used to be devoted to looking . . . . at least sane.  Now, not so much.  I've got two kids- a 4 year old E. and a 9 month old O.- and they are time consuming.  I'm a SAHM, a writer, a feminist, and all around fairly certain I have let myself go.

I don't shy away from a dress and heels, but my own style definitely leans more towards femi-boho-chic.  I like cozy knits, cute flats, and simple skirts that go with everything from a tshirt and cardi to a blouse.  I also love trouser jeans.  I love doing my hair/makeup/nails and keeping myself healthy.

After several recent huge bouts of illness and just L-I-F-E, I realized, Oh my GAWSH, I don't even look like me anymore.  All I seemed to do was switch from sweats and tees to other sweats and tees.  It's not even remotely cute.  Then I reminded myself that I haven't been feeling that great about ME and it was like  light went off in my head.

Rebecca and I go way back to high school but we only recently reunited as friends, say about two years ago.  We both love fashion, being moms, and being positive, so we wanted to put something out there that said "It's OKAY to want to look good for you!  It's okay for your kids to see you looking fab once in a while!"  neither of us iis advocating you overhaul yourself into something you don't even recognize, just someone you can smile at in the mirror everyday and go about the day with a spring in your step.

We realize no mom has a ton of time to herself.  Rebecca and I both work from home, are SAHM's, and we both home school. We have husbands with demanding jobs and busy lives.  So we know how hard it can be.  We've also both been on various places of the financial spectrum, so we're not going to be the ones to tell you to spend a fortune.  But we want you to look good. FOR YOU.

Reese Witherspoon is a mom I admire.  We're both self-admitted Type A's but she seems to really balance the whole feminine-comfy-yet-chic looks I am always trying to emulate.

Rebecca and I decided to embark on a 12 step program to get back to feeling fab.  So join in the fun too!


xoxo-

Sara Rose

Meet Rebecca!

 (Jessica Alba & Victoria Beckham are Hot Mamas I admire!)

I remember growing up seeing various moms come and go from school and sporting events.  As an almost thirty year old stay at home mom of two sons, I see the same women, but in my own social circles.

-There are the moms that are obviously fashionably fit.  They go to the gym while their kids are at school, wearing the name brand workout clothes with matching gear, and hair in the cutest peppy pony tail.

-Moms that drop their kids off wearing the newest blouse that Banana Republic has come out with, skinny jeans, and stilettos or cute flats.

-Then you have the moms that are somewhere in between - jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirts.

-And finally, you have the moms that look like they just rolled out of bed and took their kids to school in their pajamas.

Growing up I focused on the first two moms.  The ones who looked like they had it all together, kids didn't change them, just made them better.  As an adult I still look at those moms with total admiration and question if they have a nanny, personal stylist, or if they just take time for themselves?  I'm finding myself precariously close to the edge of the last mom...the one who looks as if they just don't care. This is not something that happened with planning. But rather, it happened over a period of time.

It came to my attention last night as I changed from one set of workout clothes to a different set to go out and justified it by saying the workout pants (which are actually scrub pants) were black so they were dressy.  This made me panic when I realized what has happened to me.  I quickly contacted two of my girlfriends and they are helping me get back to the cute fashion forward mom I really am under the look of laziness and not caring.

More soon!

xoxo-
Rebecca