It is the holiday season, so I have quite a few events to attend: black tie, dressy denim, holiday festive, and a handful of cocktail soirees. I like getting dressed up and I LOVE socializing. I don’t have a whole lot of time, so I need to maximize it the best way possible. Here are three of my go-to’s for working women/moms. 

FASHION

Last week kicked off the party season for me, starting on Thursday with a charity cocktail mixer, attire is Birthday Denim. I put on a cocktail dress that I had on hand (purchased on EBAY AFTER renting it from Rent the Runway, because I loved it that much) and paired it with my Lucchese boots, because why not? I live in Texas and it actually worked out. On  Saturday, I attended a bonafide Ball—The Dallas Margarita Ball, where you can’t ever be overdressed. I’ve talked about Rent the Runway before, but I wanted to revisit it again, for those of you who may have recently had a need to rent a dress.

Rent the Runway is the premier online destination for access to your dream closet. With a revolving roster of over 200 top designers of the season's hottest dresses and accessories, Rent the Runway is designer fashion delivered to your doorstep for all of life's occasions for just a fraction of the price!

I don’t like is having to wear the same things over and over, nor do I want to spend a whole lot of time shopping, attempting to pair something that fits within my budget and looks right on me. This isn’t to say that I don’t have such pieces of clothing, because I do. However, I’d rather spend my money on my corporate everyday wear. RTR carries sizes 0 to 16, from daytime wear to black tie. You can also rent accessories or buy foundation garments from them.

I searched for a while for the dress that I wanted to wear to the ball. The more glam and  sparkle, the better. I’ve attended this event before and being in Dallas, there are no limits to what you will see. For me personally, I wanted something understated, which would accentuate my best features, and be comfortable enough to dance the night away. Chic and elegant are what I came up with and I felt these dresses would pair nicely with accessories I currently own.

Halston Heritage and Robert Rodriguez for the win! Why two dresses? Well,  a gal likes to have a choice and when they arrived, I was gonna go with the one that felt the most comfortable. At the price point for rental, it was still CHEAPER than committing to a gown. I was gleefully happy until I received notification that both of my dress choices had been damaged beyond repair and they would not be available. UGH! Here is where I have to rave on the customer service of Rent the Runway! Rather than stopping with their condolences, they invited me to select my top 5 choices at any of their price points for my original rental price! WOW! WOW! WOW!
While they still had plenty of selection to choose from, there weren’t AS MANY choices as I would have wanted. I sent my my selections and these are the two that they sent me:

Badgley Mischka and ML Monique Lhuillier for round two! These dresses may seem polar opposites to one another. One screams va-va-voom siren and the other states conservative charm. Both of these gowns satisfy the two sides of my Gemini nature. I was able to rent them at my original rental price, so the price is DEFINITELY right! When they arrived, the zipper on the black and white gown was damaged so badly that I couldn’t wear it. The red gown was shorter than I wanted it to be (who looks at feet anyway?). I contacted Customer Service immediately and they sent another gown out to me overnight. It was larger at the top and not very flattering, so I took my chances with the Badgley Mischka. I had a pair of black opera gloves I wanted to wear with it, but sadly, one glove is missing and I have a strange feeling it is mixed in somewhere in the dress up trunk of my darling girls. The shorter gown paid off, because I had to walk through rain and some puddles to get to my destination and didn’t have to worry about my dress dragging. Score!

To make up for the lack of fit, they gave me a discount code off a future rental, which made me very happy. My next rental from them will likely be a sparkly cocktail dress. I’ve not yet settled on which one, so I won’t share here. I have about 6 in my queue that I’m considering. In any case, if you have a formal event (wedding), a cocktail party or you just want something nice to wear on a night out, then I would recommend Rent the Runway. Click my referral link to start browsing. I think you get 20% off the first time you rent! Yaaay!

HAIR

I have a LOT of hair. When I give myself a blow out, it is usually a two day process for it to look how I want it to look. I spend almost an hour blowing it out the night before, then will spend another half an hour the next day (after it has settled down) curling it or running a flat iron through it. If there is any modicum of humidity outside, my hair gets excited from the moisture and frizzes up. It isn’t a good look, not to mention, I’m angry for all of the time that was wasted in attempted to calm my mane. That isn’t to say I don’t love my hair because I do! I love, love, love, love my hair!

With that said, I go to The Drybar for blowouts. I have been going to them for several years now. What I love most about my visits to The Drybar is that no matter which location, there is consistency. The styles remain the same, they are very true to their branding, and it is a treat for me. My styles are never compromised with the humidity and will hold strong for about 4 days. My girls both know when I’ve gone for a blow-out not only because my hair looks awesome, but also because of how it smells…and it smells so good! Cost of a blowout is $40 + tip (they encourage $10). Case in point, my hair above was blown-out on Thursday before my Birthday Denim event and it held up until Sunday evening when I washed it. Here it is Sunday morning after I woke up from a night of dancing and walking in the rain.:

MAKE-UP 

I am a vaseline, eyeliner kind of gal. I own all of that other stuff, but I don’t use it regularly. I’m trying to get more into my mascara and lipsticks. As I get older, my moisturizers are key, but small beauty tricks can go a long way. Curling my lashes and brushing on a bit of mascara really opens my eyes. A complimentary lip color really works a dazzling smile, too!

I am very lucky to be related to the best make-up artist ever (in my opinion), but he lives in Southern California. While it is no big deal to hop onto a Hangout, he hasn’t yet figured out how to make product magically appear through the screen. So for me, when I need something immediately, I pop my head into Sephora and opt for a free 15 minute beauty tutorial consultation. There isn’t an obligation to buy, but often when I’m going in, I know I will be purchasing a product. If you are a noob like me, you will need someone to teach you how to best use what you purchased, and their artists know their stuff! Are you gonna spend more than $50? Then sign up for the total beauty make-over, complimentary with $50 or more purchase. It is for 45 minutes and they will work your whole face!

Recently, I went in and bought some new items that I’ve fallen in love with: Marc Jacobs Beauty Gel Crayon, Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme in Icon, and Make Up For Ever’s Blending Brush. I used to be a loyal Urban Decay gal when it came to my liners, but at the end of the day it still smeared and gave me the look of bruised eyes more often than not. I’ve been in search of a great red lip color and so far Hourglass has satisfied. It has no nasty fillers and doesn’t dry out my lips. And the blending brush because holy wow does it make a difference. I never knew. After my session, I had tips on how to make up my face for future events!
Tips that I learned from my quick beauty tutorial:

1. Johnson and Johnsons baby wash will clean my brushes just as good as fancy brush cleaner, just be sure to lay the brush flat to dry.
2. Urban Decay’s primer is key before applying make-up.
3. Apply moisturizer, primer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, then concealer. <---I’ve been doing it wrong forever, no wonder I looked like a clown.

***************
So that’s it. Those are three things that have helped me. I realized that not all of these things will work for everyone. Budgets, time constraints, etc can get in the way. Rent the Runway is not a common thing that I use. Plus, I always try to find a discount code to apply before placing my order. I realize that there aren’t Drybars in every city. Most salons  can do blow-outs for less and odds are, they can give you what you are looking for. Sephora will actively encourage you to try their products without committing to purchasing. I would highly encourage you to do that before you invest in something that you probably won’t need. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Sartorial Find at Nordstrom Rack: Cobalt Blue Diane Von Furstenburg Dress

Something magical happened at Nordstrom Rack.

What a random statement, but let me back up. On Sunday evening, our new puppy chewed up my youngest daughter’s  sneakers. Completely chewed ‘em up, to where they could no longer be used. I was sad because they were her first pair of sneakers she’d picked out herself. She wasn’t very happy about it because she didn’t have any sneakers that fit. I made it a point to go to Nordstrom Rack to pick up a new pair for her. (Did y’all know they have a wonderful assortment of kids shoes for not nearly as much money as you might think? I love them for this reason.)

When I arrived, they were having a HUGE clearance on Women’s clothing. ADD kicked in and  I wanted to resist the urge, but resistance was futile. “I’ll just look.” If I found something, I might get it. I wanted to reward myself for maintaining my size for more than a year now. I’ve fluctuated some, but I’ve maintained a shape-range I’m comfortable with. Browsing wouldn’t hurt. Immediately, I found two lovely cardigans for less than $15 each! My office remains perpetually cold, so cardis are a must. Plus, they are a great layer to add on to almost any thing. While I was browsing, there was a Diane Von Furstenburg dress misplaced in the area where I was looking. The dress was on clearance, but definitely the wrong size and definitely the wrong rack (instead of the shirts, blouses, tops area—I told you it was a giant clearance sale).

I’ve gotta back up again. I grew up thumbing through the pages of Vogue magazine at the grocery store. My grandmother was an expert seamstress. During my summer visits, we made MANY trips to Cloth World, where I’d thumb through the pages of the Vogue pattern book. It was here that I was introduced to “the wrap dress.” I found it so simple, yet the lines on it so delightful. DVF became an icon to me, just like Coco Chanel. These female powerhouses with such creative energy and beautiful clothes. “Mija, some day you will own a dress designed by her! Not because you couldn’t make your own, but simply because they are beautiful dresses for women and you will be able to get your own.” I never forgot about that remark. I’ve not bought one of her dresses, in all of the clothes I’ve purchased. Certainly, clothing inspired by, but not actually one of her own. Until…

I went to the dress area and began glancing through each frock, that familiar hanger on metal squeak as you pass each one by. I went through about 50 dresses before going to the second rack. Cobalt blue always attracts my eye. My eye was drawn to the color, the brain wanted to see more.  I found it! This one. A cobalt DVF dress! This beautiful dress in my size in a price point that justified dipping into my “what if” fund—still less than my normal dress prices. So very many possibilities with this! Even better…IT HAS POCKETS!!!

Today, I will call my Abuela and tell her of this dress. Tell her how her words lived inside of me for 30 years, then mail her a photo.

It wasn’t about the designer label. It was about the memory. It was about how someone who created something 30 years ago made my grandmother feel, makes me feel the same way. That’s timeless. Truly words have power and can lay dormant for years before they emerge. Grateful for my grandmother’s words.

*and yes, I did find a replacement pair of sneakers for my little one. She was even more excited about this pair.

Review: Pouf Dallas Blow Dry Salon

Happy Hump Day friends!

Today, I will be reviewing Pouf Dallas Blow Dry Salon. If you know me, you know my love/hate relationship with my hair. I LOVE my hair! Love, love, love my hair. I LOATHE fixing it. Even though I’ve lost some of the thickness since having my girls, it is still quite thick, coarse, and unruly. Any opportunity I get to have someone else blow out my hair, I jump on it! My go-to place has always been the original Drybar (featured on my 2012 Holiday Gift Guide), but I’m always on the hunt for other places, especially for convenience!

On that particular day, I knew I had to run an errand at Mockingbird Station. Fortunately for me, I called up earlier in the day to schedule an appointment. First off, here’s what you need to know about blow-dry salons.

1. Your hair will get washed and conditioned.
2. You will get a scalp massage. (the length of the scalp massage varies depending on where you go. some places will offer extra time for an additional cost)
3. They will use a specific specialty product line on your hair. This is not limited to shampoos and conditioners, but hairsprays, shine serums, and more.
4. Your hair will be blow-dried to what ever style you prefer. (Some places have a menu available for different styles.)
5. Depending on your style, other styling tools will be used (Some salons will charge extra for use of these tools, some as much as $10.)
6. These salons may also offer updos, braids, buns, and other hair styles.

At Pouf, immediately upon walking in, you will feel a sense of nostalgia. The checkered floors and vintage furniture add to the appeal. Also, there isn’t loud and obnoxious fancy music playing. They are playing music, but it is at a comfortable decibel level. You are offered a beverage upon check-in, limited to water, tea, soda, and sparkling lemonade. There is an assortment of magazines to read while you have your hair done, or you can pass the time by chatting with the stylist or play with your smart phone. I didn’t see a sample menu of styles to choose from, so it took me a moment to decide upon a style. Initially, I wanted a straight look, but later switched it up at the shampoo station when I became inspired. I wanted a Jackie-O, voluminous blow-out with the ends tucked under. Not outta control Texas volume, just slightly Texas volume.

I have to admit, when I walked in, I was feeling a little skeptical. I wasn’t bombarded with the familiar hairspray fumes or haze that I’d related to other blow-dry salons. There wasn’t a television playing a girly flick, nor was there a white wine spritzer or mimosa for me (I didn’t ask for an alcoholic beverage, I was just surprised one wasn’t immediately included in the offering). For me, when I go to these places, I’m not immediately looking to connect to anyone, I just want to sit, zone out, relax, and come out of it with spectacular hair. Not to mention, the chill down time and scalp massage really help keep my clustereff happy.

However, when I sat with Janna, I actually talked with her. I got to know her and she got to know me. She had a tender hand when working with my hair and scalp, which was still quite relaxing. Normally I like a more firm scalp massage, but this was nice! The same went when she was blow-drying my hair. The other thing that impressed me was she only took right at 45 minutes total to do my hair (including the shampoo and conditioner)! That’s SUPER fast for me, especially because it normally takes about 45 minutes just to blow dry! They use Kevin Murphy products for the hair and it is wonderful. It smells so good and is sulfate and paraben free. I actually considered purchasing something to use full time. In spite of spraying my hair, it didn’t feel loaded down at all. The product stayed true to its word and was, in fact, weightless!! I wish they had a price listing for the products. Janna was darling and I will DEFINITELY recommend her as a stylist. She managed to find a way to tame my crazy hair, including my little fringe in the front!

My blow-out successfully lasted 3 days before washing. It may have been able to go longer, but I did a 6 mile run in 1000% humidity, and in spite of that run, it wasn’t a complete frizz-ball mess of hair. I just needed to wash it because yeah, that wouldn’t have been very hygienic.

Pouf also offers hair services like different braids or their signature bun. Hair extensions and hair chalk can also be added on. Not just hair services, but they offer make-up services, too! They use GloMinerals make-up for their product line. During this trip, I did not have any make-up done, but I loved that they had an eyes and lips option. Likewise, they offer make-up classes, this week’s class will show you how to do the perfect Cat-eye. Finally, they have a small section full of hair accessories, like shower caps, hair bows, hair clips, as well as the Kevin Murphy line of products.

All in all, I will highly recommend Pouf Dallas Blow Dry Bar in that area. I live in the Northern suburbs of Dallas, so if I’m having a weekend blow-out, I will stick to Drybar for convenience. But during the week, since I work in Dallas, I totally plan on making a special visit to Mockingbird Station to get blown out.

Hours: SUN-WED 10-7  |  TH-FR 10-8  |  SAT 9-8 

Cost: Basic blow-out starting $35

Right now, Pouf is running a Groupon! One blowout is $17 ($35 value) or buy 3 for $50 ($105 value). You can bet your bottom dollar that I jumped on this deal! Also, for a limited time, if you book an appointment Monday – Friday, it is only $25!! Please note, you should always tip your stylist. I typically tip $10.

Hello Bianca!…I’ve never done Groupon, please help! Ok, click this link, enter your email to get started, and go from there! (If you click that link and purchase a Groupon, I will get a $10 credit. That’s only good for you first-timers.)

So put on your sassy pants, make an appointment, and go get your glam on! Feel sexy with your fabulous hair!

 

**I was not compensated in any way for my review of Pouf. I am not opposed to receiving perks, I just thought Pouf is rather nifty and deserved a review. The opinions expressed are my own.**

Review: POND'S® Luminous Line

When I was selected to review the POND'S Luminous Line, I was quite hesitant simply because I'd not tried a drugstore brand of moisturizing/cleaning for a long while. I'd recently run out of my moisturizer, so I figured I would give it a try. My skin is very sensitive and anything with too much fragrance and it'll revolt. I've not had any issues with it since using the line. The entire line was a fraction of the cost of just my moisturizer.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been religiously using the moisturizer day lotion with SPF 15 (I always forget my SPF). Moisturizer is important folks! Yes, that includes you few male readers that I know lurk. The latest addition to the POND’S® Luminous Line,"POND’S® Luminous Moisture™ Day Lotion with SPF 15 is enriched with illuminating minerals. The weightless SPF 15 formula contains UVA and UVB sun protection against skin-damaging rays.

This month, Molly Sims* joins POND’S® to help women experience the “luminous effect” that comes with having great skin. Together, they are launching the “POND’S® 30-Day Luminous Photo Challenge,” a 30-day photo sweepstakes featuring daily challenges to inspire women to share photos of their happiest, most radiant moments. Thirty prizes will be awarded so women can live life more luminously. From March 4 through April 2, women can upload pictures to the POND’S® Facebook page or share via Twitter or Instagram by using the hashtag #LuminousEffect. Hurry and post your images! You only need a Smartphone and Twitter or Instagram to enter.

What makes you feel Luminous? 
Me, so very many things, but at the forefront of my mind, is that rush of endorphins I get after a good run. During my shower, while I'm exfoliating my face after all of that sweat, I'm confident in what I just accomplished! Even better when I slide on my dress and it is a bit loose. This was especially evident the hours after I completed the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon!

Molly Sims' Tips for Looking Luminous:

1. Picture Perfect:  My secret to feeling and looking camera ready starts with radiant skin. I rely on POND'S® Luminous Moisture™ Day Lotion with SPF 15 to brighten dull skin. The new moisturizer is enriched with illuminating minerals and contains SPF 15 that protects against skin-damaging rays.
2. Nighttime Ritual:  I never go to bed without washing my face.  As a busy mom, I go for time savers wherever possible.  I like a cleanser that both cleanses and removes makeup in one step. POND’S® Luminous Clean™ Wet Cleansing Towelettes gently draws out trapped impurities and makeup to brighten dull skin.
3. Feed the Glow: I start the day off with a green juice to kick start my morning.  It keeps me energized and does wonders for my complexion.
4. Feel the Burn: Early morning exercise puts color on my cheeks and improves my whole body circulation.  A great workout also helps to enhance my skin color and complexion.
5. Buff Your Way to Beautiful:  For great circulation and even tone skin, I recommend exfoliating your face, body and even your lips.  It can leave you looking good and feeling radiant in no time.
6. Find Your Center: Taming stress is important to help you look your luminous best.  I use regular breathing exercises to help keep me calm and centered.
7. Lights, Camera:  Every woman can look luminous from within – but great lighting can help, too.  One trick I’ve learned before snapping a photo is to step away from overhead lights to avoid shadows on the face.
8. Glowing Touch:  A highlighter is one of my favorite beauty tricks to instantly look healthier and younger. I apply it anywhere that needs a little radiance:  under my eyes to minimize dark circles and on the brow bone to draw attention to my eyes.
9. Lighten Up:  When posing for pictures, I make a point to smile big.  Your face will light up and you will instantly look and feel luminous.

I asked my girlfriends, of the items I had to review, which was the most interesting to them or the most valuable. Hands down, each of them mentioned the Wet Cleansing Towelette, a moisturizer and collection of cleansers that brighten dull skin. The Towelettes are enriched with moisturizing ingredients and soft white Kaolin clay known to act like a magnet, to gently draw out dirt, makeup and deep-dwelling impurities leaving skin bright and luminous. I used one of these and understand why they enjoyed using them. Convenient, they are moisturizing, without irritating. Additionally, they take off mascara with incredible ease! 

The complete Luminous Line is available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99 - $5.79 for each item.

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. By posting, I am eligible for incentive. I received product to facilitate my post, but all opinions stated are my own.

Review: Wink a Threading Salon Uptown Dallas

Hello everyone!

Today we are gonna talk about beauty. We all have our daily/monthly/weekly regimens to keep ourselves looking like our best selves. About 8 years ago, I was introduced to threading to get rid of unwanted hair. Prior to that, I’d either plucked my eyebrows or waxed. The first time I tried it, I was hooked. No more hot waxes! No fear of getting burned (again! yikes!). No yanking on the skin and best of all, no more droopy brows from the pulls of the wax. (I must say that there are mixed feeling on the internet about this: whether waxing causes the drooping or sagging of the brow. I can only say that for me personally, I noticed a marked difference in the skin around my brow and it no longer having that “tired” look.)



I’ve been going to Wink Threading Salon in Uptown Dallas for about 3 years now. I love them! From their bright orange and white décor to the friendly faces when I walk in, I always feel like I’m in for a treat. These gals know their stuff, too! I always feel like I walked in looking like Wolverine and leave feeling like a princess! I discovered them when I was at Pinkberry enjoying some froyo and saw them as I drove off. The next day, I walked in and felt like a new person. Completely!



I decided I needed to share some of the awesomeness with all of you. Wink has locations in Uptown Dallas and in Ft. Worth. They are open 7 days a week and have flexible hours and affordable prices! They do not require an appointment. 80% of the time, I just walk right in and they take care of me. I can actually hit them up and be done in about the same amount of time it takes me to run by my bank to make a deposit. Super fast! Does it hurt? Less than waxing, yes. Also, it is only $12 (plus tip! Don’t forget to tip!) And it lasts 3-4 weeks. I typically go once a month.

To me, it feels like a massage on my left side. The right side of my face is more sensitive, my right eye even tears up. And every so often, I will sneeze too. No idea what is causing that. But it feels gentle. (If I wanted some cooling gel, they will apply it. I never get it. Nor do I have them use the tiny scissors to trim my eyebrow hairs. I prefer them the length they are.) Below, you can see that my right eye has been threaded (hence the watery eyes) and the left eye is a hot mess. See the difference?



I also like that you get to participate in the grooming. You typically have to hold your brow and lid using your hands, and positioning them in a way so the Threader can work. It’s quite simple, actually. I’ve taken friends to this place, both male and female, and all have really enjoyed it. “It didn’t hurt at all. Like I’ve done threading before and this didn’t hurt at all! It was awesome!” Anyway, here is my after:



I know I’m entirely super cheese in this picture. I’m ridiculously happy and so filled with love. This weekend we will be having the big 5 birthday for the Sugarbean! Leading up to it, I’ve had lots of quality time with my Beloved, thanks to my mother being in town to help us. It’s been a true blessing! Anyway, I want you to go check out Wink when you get a chance. They are fantastic! Tell them Hello Bianca sent you!

**Disclaimer: I was offered a complimentary eyebrow threading from Wink Uptown in exchange for an honest blog review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Fashion’s Night Out: Dallas Galleria

You read that title right. But Bianca, you are soooo not a fashion blogger. Right? Well, that is accurate. The focus on this ol’ blog isn’t fashion. The focus is….well, it’s all over the place, but that is neither here nor there. If you know me at all, then you know fashion is near and dear to my heart. It’s right up there with Mexican Coke and chocolate cake.

I had an opportunity to be part of the media during the Galleria’s Fashion’s Night Out and I was beyond ecstatic! This was my first official media event for Hello Bianca and I wanted it to be special. I fretted over what to wear for the days leading up to it. I could have been over-the-top fashionista, but instead, I wanted to project more writer, less fashion guru. I wore: a black and white striped 3/4 sleeved top from H&M (my tribute to Jean Paul), straight leg dark wash Citizens of Humanity jeans, a cobalt scarf, and gold Roxy flip flops (I know, right, even I’m eyerolling right now…at the time, I thought I would be doing a lot of standing and walking and the last thing I wanted was achy feet or an unsightly klutz moment). I didn’t bust out the big camera. Instead, I wanted to rely solely on my Samsung Galaxy S3 to capture the event, that and I wasn’t sure if they were going to allow cameras (duh, I WAS the paparazzi, facepalm).

I went to the booth to get my media badge and I was off and running. I smiled at lots of people and did my best to blend in.


I was behind the velvet rope and I had a front row pass to the pretty people and the gorgeous frocks. Typical me, I was feeling anxious and excited. I was nervous and not really sure what to do. Here I was, now what. I was oogling at everyone, clutching the media guide, trying to determine what spots to hit up. Naturally, I went for a drink.


And then I ran into a friend! It was nice chatting for a bit and mingling with beautiful people instead of just staring at them. But then it was time for us to move on and explore some of the rest of what was going on. By the way, those chandeliers were gorgeous and definitely added to the level of fancy!


In the middle of it all, there was a fashion show that stretched the length of the Galleria, which is about a quarter mile.This media lounge where I started had a DJ controlling his tunes on a large television. It looked cool (but honestly, I thought it a tiny bit unneccessary). I was still groovin’ to the beats, while everyone was huddled in their respective groups, talking about whatever, while they each casually looked each other up and down. At this type of event, it’s ok to look each other over. Heck, most everyone had on their very best choices. It was wonderful!


I stopped at the Brahmin store and fell in love (lurrrrve) with this pattern! Very chic, very Fall. I coveted the larger bag because it would easily fit my laptop, big camera (lovingly known as “Baby”), and a couple of diapers and wipes.


Next I stopped by Pink (Thomas Pink) to oogle at my version of lingerie for men…socks and ties. Whoa baby! I seriously spent 5 minutes at this table staring at the ties and mentally putting each one on the different shirts. I later spent 10 minutes staring at every pair of socks they had in stock.

I spent the next half hour, pretending I had loads of money and filled up my shopping bags with all sorts of goodies for myself, my kiddos, and my husband. Good times!

How about you? Did you participate in Fashion’s Night Out? Have you heard about it before? I’m thinking of posting my favorite outfit that I wore during the week on Wednesday’s. This by no means is turning into a fashion blog (nothing wrong with that), but it is a good accountability measure for myself to attempt to get out of my usual rut and try new things.

Lice…yep, we earned our badge

While we were on the 12+ hour road trip to Lawrenceburg, TN, I noticed Mari was scratching her head more than what would be considered normal. (Wait, what? You drove 12+ hours in a car with your kids? Yeah and in a Honda Civic, no less. More on that another time.)

When we arrived at my in-laws, I took a deep breath and did a check. Yep, I found 1 little bastard and my heart sank. My sister-in-law spotted some nits and really showed me what to look for. (Thank you Amy!!!) She wasn’t grossed out by it and didn’t get the heebie geebies either. She may not have realized how much that helped my sanity. Seriously, thank you!

To note:

1. The first question people will ask you is “Where did she get it?” To which, I wanted to say, I don’t really think that’s the issue at hand. She has ‘em, the better question is how do we get rid of them?
2. Yes, how do you get rid of them? Well, you have to ask yourself do you want to go a more natural route or do you want the chemicals?
3. You will feel instantly itchy all over your body, especially your head. It’s normal and you might not have lice yourself, especially if you have a shaved head.
4. Be prepared to drop some money and spend several hours attacking them.

Don and I loaded up into our car, headed in to town and stocked up on supplies. For us, we wanted a multi-prong attack. We wanted the heavy stuff, the natural stuff, prevention for everyone else. The pharmacy tech was so very nice and helpful. She gave us a look that was the equivalent of a hug and told us good luck. We appreciated the sentiment.

left to right:

• Licefreee with tea tree oil which is a shampoo+conditioner to wash everyone’s hair after the treatment.
• Lice Treatment which is the actual chemical stuff, but said it was safe to use on babies 2 months plus (we didn’t treat the Sugarbaby. She was and has been lice free.)
• Stop Lice shampoo for the other family members who might have been infected.
• Stop Lice In-home spray to spray down the couches, carpets, car seats, etc
• Combs

Not pictured: Jar of mayonnaise, bottle of olive oil, lice shield leave in spray

This is a accurate representation of our daughters’ hair:

The Sugarbaby has very little light and thin hair. What she has is curly. The Sugarbean has long and curly hair. It can get unruly and wild like our child. She LOOOVES her hair and prefers it long. Cutting her hair was not an option. Oh and she’s 4.

This is what we did (took us about 5-6 hours):

First thing, we took a deep breath. Then, we sat her down and explained what we were going to have to do and how long it would take. That she would have to sit still like a statue for long periods of time, but we would give her breaks. That one louse I’d found, after I killed it, I showed it to her. She’s a very visual person, like me, and I knew it would help her to put it all together. After we talked with her, we asked her if she understood. In her words, “Yes, Mommy. You have to kill the bugs in head because they are biting me and making me itchy and I don’t want to be itchy because I don’t like the bugs and I need you to kill them. No bug party in my head! I am ready, but don’t cut my hair. I’ll be brave, I promise.” Admittedly, I got a bit choked up.

We took the Knot Genie and ran it through her hair to get all of the tangles out. After brushing, we tossed it into a bowl of water that had just been boiled and set on the counter for cooling. The water was hot enough to sterilize the brush, but not enough to melt the plastic.

Then, we went to wash her hair in the tub. We lathered and scrubbed and lathered and scrubbed. She wore her bathing suit during this process, only because she wanted to. we figured it was easiest considering the multiple rinses we would have to do. After the allotted time, we rinsed and noticed some of the carcasses rinsing out.

We went to a well lit area and proceeded to comb through her hair to pick out the nits. I was on one side and Don* on the other. Both of us working as best as we could. During this time, we gave her the iTouch and put on her favorite movie. She would naturally have to look down to watch the movie (Tinkerbell!). That part took us nearly an entire movie. We took a break and let her shake out her neck. *Yes, we are a good team. He was there with me helping me pick through all of that hair. Thanks babe!

Then I drizzled a cup of warm olive oil on her scalp, giving her a scalp massage. She didn’t like this one. We rinsed her off and combed through. The olive oil made her hair really lubricated and somewhat difficult to see anything. At this point, I decided to go ahead and do the mayo.

So I took about 2 cups worth and filled my hands. I worked it into her scalp. It was cold and squishy, but she didn’t mind this at all. Then, I took a plastic sack and wrapped it around her head and kept it tied up like a bonnet. She looked like a small Amish girl, like we'd seen earlier in our visit! We let it process for 2 hours. Essentially, the olive oil is supposed to help release the nits from the hair fibers. The mayo would work the same way too. The plastic sack would help suffocate them. The heat from her head would also work in her favor.

When I took the bag off her head, I noticed a small group of dead bugs at the nape of her neck. Like they were trying to escape or something. ewwwww...I’m not gonna lie. It grossed me out. But I took comfort in knowing that it was working! We rinsed it all out again. I used the 2nd bottle of treatment on her head, waited the time, then rinsed again.

Then, I began to comb through her hair again to pick out any nits that we might have missed. Then, I braided her hair tightly and put a reminder in my calendar to do the treatment again in 10 days.
We then put all of the tools in that hot water and sealed them in plastic bags. When we got home, all of the stuff animals and pillows were put into plastic bags in the garage. This is where having lice in the summer works in our favor. We’ve been having 100+ weather and in a car and a garage, that heat will kill any lingering eggs. VERY GRATEFUL for that.

10 days, I got the alarm and checked her head and yes, found 1 single louse and 3 nits. Off to the mayonnaise and tea tree oil. Again with washing the linens. We didn’t take any stuffed animals out of their bags. They’d still been in the garage. This time, I wrapped her hair in saran wrap and opted to put some mayo in my hair because, well, it needed a conditioning treatment and I didn’t want her to be alone. There we sat having a beauty day. Painting nails and hanging out. I rinsed off our hair, dried it, then combed it out.


I also took a flat-iron to her hair. The first time, ever for her. I figured the heat from the flat iron would also help kill any lingering eggs. I mean it couldn’t hurt, right? She felt fancy with her straight hair! It took me about an hour. Whoa, this whole thing is a lesson in patience!


Since that last treatment, I’ve sprayed her hair morning and night with tea tree oil. Brushed every night, treated the brush and comb, and braided the hair tightly. So far, so good.

Keep the toys bagged for at least 10 days.

Eggs can’t survive for longer than 10 days.

Kill the source.

It only takes one female to lay an ungodly amount of eggs. Familiarize yourself with the lifecycle of them and know where in the cycle the louse is and the eggs, too (like when they will hatch).

Treat all things you can’t wash.

This includes car seats, favorite dolls, combs, brushes, etc..

Have patience.

It’s bound to happen. It’s ok to be grossed out. Be sure to notify anyone that your child may have come into contact, so they are aware.

Talk to your friends and use the Internet, too. I couldn’t believe all of the support we received. It was really great! And if you found this because you are going through it, then good luck!! Hugs!

DMA: John Paul Gaultier

Remember when you were little and you had big dreams? Were you lucky enough to have parents to give you the supplies you needed to live out those dreams? As you know, I spent my summers with my grandmother and the sound of her sewing machine humming is what would lull me to sleep during naptime. When I was Mari's age now, she handed me a large plastic needle and yarn. She told me once I was able to do that, then she'd give me something to sew.  When I mastered that, I was given an actual needle and embroidery thread. I was then instructed to hand sew a straight stitch, then different patterns. I had to prove my mastery at hand sewing before I was allowed to use the machine. I never threaded her machine. I did re-arrange all of her threads for her, categorizing them according to the color of the rainbow, then sorting them my individual color underneath. My job was to also help her with patterns. Cutting them out, laying them flat, pinning them for her, and then later folding them up without tearing and tucking them nicely back into the bag.

I drew many designs for my dolls. I drew clothes of what I wanted to wear when I was older. When I was 7, as a Christmas gift, I received from Santa this fashion template set. You could put down the template and "build" a wardrobe from basic pieces. You'd place a piece of paper over the template, run your large charcoal or crayon over it, and then your image would appear. You could then color it however you wanted. This was a nice "cheater" way of creating clothing, but I wasn't interested in textile design, but the actual design of apparel. By the time I was 8, I was happy to go to the grocery store with my mother just so I could delicately flip the pages of Vogue. We never purchased a copy. When we would go to the library, I would obsess over the clothing in the magazine articles. The advent of MTV and the supermodel had me fixated with all things Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. They just knew how to wear clothes! I idolized fashion designers like some kids idolized sports figures. I cried the day Gianni Versace was killed. You see, fashion designers aren't the sort of people that you actually get to meet. It isn't like they are out and about at events where you can rub shoulders with them. Well, not at events for normal sort of folk. I had fashion week, and whatever coverage my cable news channel afforded. I would get seriously pissed if my father changed the channel when I was watching runway. Even if it was for a brief second coverage, I'd say, "No Daddy, go back!" I wanted to see the clothes. I HAD TO SEE THEM. I'll be the first to admit that I dated a handful of boys that were completely wrong for me, but boy could they wear the heck out of clothes! They knew how to dress and well, that was VERY important to me.

And then I grew up, chose a different path, and that part of me sat dormant.

I became a mother and my eldest started to play with Barbies. She asked for clothes for her Barbies. I started designing again. And I drew, and I drew, and I still draw. I've only constructed two pieces. I've been playing around with making her clothes too. In my spare time, you know. Then the Dallas Museum of Art brought Jean Paul Gaultier to Dallas. My jaw hit the floor and I was excited. I asked to go at some point during the exhibit. It closes next week on the 12th. Don, remembering my request, loaded up the girls and off we went to the DMA. I was beyond excited. At the front of the exhibit, you see the sailor stripes as I came to be familiar with him. How ever is it that I don't immediately associate him with the cone bras? ha ha

We went through each room. I read about each outfit. I appreciated the hours into the craftsmanship. Even Don was impressed! We were further treated when we saw the actual costume Chris Tucker wore in the 5th Element. Don said, that looks familiar. I thought, yes, it looks like something Nikki Minaj might have worn. Then I remembered, duh, Don wouldn't know that. I glanced at the sign and we saw 5th Element and told him. He nodded his head and was impressed. He also like many of the men's stylings that were shown. I admired every single detail. Each stitch, each bead, each feather...all of it. The sheer patience involved. I do believe motherhood has given me that patience.

Tesla was enamored with all of the people and seemed intrigued by the clothes. Mari wanted to walk around and touch everything and was more than discontent when I forced her to sit in the stroller the entire time. One time she escaped and was perched on a shelf with no display. She was just sitting there bored. The attendant immediately went up to her and told her that she couldn't be there. We received quite a few looks, actually, for having our children there. Only a handful of them were haughty. The rest seemed like they were happy to have them there. It was hard. I wanted to touch the pretty fabrics, too!

Oh my goodness, the accessories. All of the hats/headdresses, the shoes, the stockings/socks/gloves, purses, they were outstanding! It was so nice to see them up close and be able to gawk and stare at them for as long as I wanted. I found Mari stealing glances at the colorful socks. I left inspired, happy, and appreciative. My Sugarbean, she wasn't so much thrilled about it. I asked her what she thought of it and this is what she did. She is probably being shy, but I like to think that she wanted the focus to be on her clothes. ha ha

There are portions of the exhibit that could be construed as risque, so younger audiences need to be warned. I wasn't concerned because my child has seen me naked and knows what a nude adult female body looks like. And that was the extent of the nudity. She was unaware of the one sexually posed exhibit. A female mannequin had put a saddle on the male mannequin and was riding it. She was too distracted by many other things than to notice the more "revealing" clothing on a mannequin.

At the end of the night, she learned that "eye-candy" meant something that was pleasing to her eye and not real candy to shove in her eyes. ha ha

If you are local and appreciate clothes, then you should go check it out. I hope to sneak away one lunch hour next week and see it before it goes.

Monday Random

This blog has absolutely no consistency. Do y'all even want that? A consistent routine of things? Me, I think I like the random. I tried doing consistency with my hump day movie review and well, we all know how that went. I am thinking of re-hashing it, though. Simply because I've given my opinions recently on some dvds I've recently watched. Enough with the ramblings, get on with the random!! ok, ok...sheesh!

1. Cloth v. Disposables

I found this link and boy howdy is it an eye opener. You know we've done cloth for a while now. We aren't exclusive cloth users. Nope. I will admit, on road trips, we've relied on disposables. Additionally, rounds of antibiotics='sposies. Why? Well, convenience factor mainly. Yes, they are convenient. Especially when you are traveling and you don't want to bring the laundry "system" with you. Even more so when you know your child is going to have explosive, runny poo. Sorry guys, but that's the reality. Now you know our little disposable secret! AAACK! But in all seriousness, if you are new parent and you are struggling to make ends meet or money is a bit tight, forego the small convenience factor and give cloth a try. They aren't what they used to be. Yes, you have to clean up the mess. Yes, you have to do laundry. But you will save money. Lot's of money!! I've calculated the amount of money we have saved and let me tell you, I am in disbelief. We've saved at least $500 since Tesla has been alive. A celebrity recently launched her own line of "good for the environment and baby" diaper and wipes service. It's $80 a month to participate for the diapers bundle, which includes wipes and diapers. What is interesting to me is that they look like cloth diapers and the wipes are cloth, too. Everything happens to be disposable. I think it is great that there is this option, but I know some struggling families out there and an extra $80 a month could go a long way to put up with a bit of "convenience!" Just my opinion.

2. False Lashes

YES! That's what the inner, beauty voice in my head is hollering. You see, I adore the thought that the weekend "me" wears flowy dresses and skirts. She wears her hair down all natural. She uses vaseline as her lip gloss and yes, she wears fake eye lashes. If I could wear fake lashes every day and get away with it, I totally would. That scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's where Holly takes off her lashes at the end of the night...yeah, that's when I was sold. Check out another account of False Lashes hype here.

3. Still No Meat

Today marks the 4 week anniversary of my self-imposed "Mostly Plants" diet (I'm still eating eggs, butter, and a bit of dairy). Incredible. I haven't stepped on a scale, yet, but the goal of this wasn't to lose weight. It was just to see how my overall well-being was affected. So far, you know what...I have noticed a difference! I don't feel "heavy." Even after a full meal, I don't feel bloated and heavy. Which, actually, was opposite to what I was thinking. I firmly believed I would walk around feeling bloated. I don't. I actually have more energy. I'm tired, but that's because I don't sleep. When I work-out, play with my kiddos, or whatever, I have more energy and enthusiasm. Also, my skin feels different. I don't know what it is. Finally, in my waist, I feel slimmer. Thanks to Pinterest, I've found some great recipes. Also, I heard about Engine 2 and plan to try out their recipes, too. If you want to check some great ideas for yourself, this Tumblr is full of inspiration for workout routines and plants only recipes. Me, I'm shooting for Valentine's day or the evening when I go on my non-Valentine's-Valentine's day-celebrating-anniversary-of-being-parents date. The hope is to eat something incredibly amazing by either my Primo or a Lavendou. Either will be sure to please and an incredible treat. After that, though, I think I will try to stay with it. It is really starting to become a lifestyle and I sympathize with all vegetarians when going out to eat. It really has been quite difficult and a complete change of mind when we go out. I can always find a salad, but it bugs me to think a salad costs as much of an entree when the nutritional value just isn't there. Not worth the money, in my opinion.

That's it for this Monday's randomness. Y'all have a great week!

2012 Beauty Resolutions

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/. 

New Year. New Routine. 
 We have all been there. Call 'em goals, dreams, resolutions, whatever, the dawn of a new year always amps people up into trying new ways to become the very best they can be. Last year I talked about goals that I had for the year. I kept up with them for the most part. I fell off the laundry bandwagon in December and reverted back to my old habits. I digress...

I've been inspired by many beauty bloggers over the past year, especially my favorite, MakeupMandiTX. She has done many fabulous product reviews. So good, that I've actually purchased many of the products she recommended. I was of the mind set that all beauty items had to be super expensive and bought through an independent consultant or a big box department store. I never thought that Walgreens would be able to fill the need. But you know what? I LOVE going to Walgreens and waiting in the store on a prescription. There's so much to look at and check out. I always find myself in the hair aisle. This year, I resolved to be more beauty-centric without breaking the bank. Thanks to Walgreens, this is achievable. Did you all know they have amazing coupons online for their products? Right now, all beauty and personal care items are an additional 20% off, even sale prices!! (good until Saturday) This year, I want to get my groove back. I want to be a better beauty guru. I'm not going to say this will turn into a beauty blog by any means. (there's a reason I have a whole label devoted solely to "beauty school dropout"), but I do want to embrace my pretty. Once upon a time, I was a pretty girl. I liked that gal. She's still around and is desperately trying to come out. I gave myself some goals to try out. Nothing big. C'mon, you have to walk before you can run.

Here you go, my top 5 beauty resolutions with a photo of the actual products I use:

1. Do my hair at least twice a week.
This doesn't mean that I actually have to curl it, but rather do a style. I've stuck with a clear schedule for my haircut regimen. What a difference that has made. Now, to rock it. I love that I can get up and go, but I heavily rely on bobby pins, spin pins, and hair ties. Bobby pins are my favorite and I even bought these awesome lovelies to fit in my purse. Thanks to Pinterest, I have many, many styles to choose from! So long everyday ponytail.

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
I have dry skin by nature. Much of it has to do with the fact that I don't drink enough water. However, I've never liked being ashy and well, I've been ashy 9 times out of 10 for the 5 years. Awful. Because I'm allergic to all fragrances, I can't use those fun smelling lotions. I can, however, use Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion Fragrance Free! This doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy. It feels great! Also, I've been adding a bit of Walgreens brand petroleum jelly to my heels at night and wearing socks. It's worked wonders since I haven't been able to get a pedicure.

3. Extra attention to my eyes & lips.
I think my eyes and my smile are two of my best features. Yet, they haven't felt the love for a long time. I've gone to bed with eye make-up on. Because I hardly sleep, I have these dark circles or bags under my eyes. So.Not.Hot. Really, Bianca? Really? Yeah, I shudder at the thought of my appearance sometimes. Just because I'm a walking Zombie doesn't mean that I actually have to look like one. Thanks to the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector Liquid with SPF 25 Light, my eyes look more awake and alert. I even received an unprompted "Bianca your eyes look pretty." compliment the other day. Wowsers! ::blushing:: At the end of the day, I use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I don't find it heavy at all. Also, at the end of the day, I slather on a bit of Walgreens brand petroleum jelly to my lips.

4. Leave-in conditioner for my hair!
Ok, I can't take credit for this one. My hairstylist pretty much insisted that I use a leave-in conditioner. She wanted me to get in the habit of doing it before making me commit to a higher end product. I opted to use a Pantene product. There are many days where I just put this on after my shower and let my hair dry naturally. My curls have been rockin'!

5. Shave my legs.
Let's get real. After having two very small people, between work, home, laundry ohmygahtheneverendinglaundry!!!!, friends, and sleep, you find your shortcuts. I was very much pregnant the last time it was cold, so there was no reaching to shave. Since we are being brutally honest, I didn't shave all the time during the summer. (yes, putting a bag over my head) I only did it when I was swimming. Well, no more. It's a brand new year and I can honestly say that I've stuck with it. Thanks to EOS Vanilla Bliss shave cream, this has been something I actually look forward to!

 

There you have it! Great products that won't cripple your bank account. What about you? Do you all have any beauty resolutions for the new year? How about any tips?

The Corpse Bride

I was the awesome guinea pig for Mandi's Halloween make-up. She works some magic, let me tell you. She told me she had some grand ideas for me, one of which was the Corpse Bride.



I went over, we had an amazing dinner, a couple of drinks and next thing I knew, I'd been transformed. See, magic!

Hairstyle Winner...

Remember when i asked your opinion a bit back on which hairstyle I should pick? Well, thank you all for voting and taking the time to write in. Honestly, I'd had my decision made until she actually started cutting. And then, when she got going, I just told her to keep going. 6 inches whacked off and I feel so much better. My hair is healthier and happier. I'm beginning to feel more like my "normal" self, too. It has since turned under itself instead of the outward flip it had when I left, but it is great, still. I think I *might* even start wearing it down more. yeah right

Short or Long?

I have a hair appointment next week and it always takes me about that long to commit to something. I’m in that in between phase right now and Don isn’t helping. He likes my hair no matter how I have it. We all know that it’ll be pulled back in a ponytail anyway. Ha ha! Leave a comment to help me choose which style you think would look best on me. Many thanks!

Shorter hair inspired by Jackie O, like this…

Image found here

Or keep growing it longer to get to this…

image found here

Fall Fashion Week: Friday

Ahhh...here we are, in the homestretch of the Fall Fashion Week. Thank you Emery Jo! I'm going to miss it because I've really enjoyed it! I'm posting my Friday look and Thursday night outfit to the concert. Be sure to head on out to see more of the other ladies' outfits during the week, too! For those of you loyal readers, be on the lookout for some fun stuff in October. Yaaay!

Headband: gifted
Scarf: gifted (hooray for being chilly enough to warrant a lightweight scarf in the morning!)
Shirt: Limited
Cardigan: Gap...love the sewn in bling!
Pants: Kohls...super, duper clearance
Shoes: BCBG, DSW

This outfit was all about practicality. It was unusually hot! We're talking it was knocking on 100 degree heat in the evening. There was a chance it would storm (which it did). We were going to be sitting on the lawn and I knew I would be wearing our nearly 6 month old. I also needed something that would allow me to nurse her if I had to. I chose to wear the necklace my husband gave me as a birthday gift ages ago because it is sterling silver and works as a great teething ring. I know because Mari loved chewing on it, as well. It's elegant and sits nicely on a a nylon string. This necklace is among my sentimental pieces. (I love accessories, can you tell?)

Sunglasses: Impulse buy, I don't remember where, but I love them
Necklace: Gifted, Jared (I know you just sang the song!)
Maxi dress: Old Navy
Half Tank: La Leche League
Flip flops (we call 'em chanclas): Target

Thursday: Fall Fashion Week

It's a busy, busy day. I have a filled day at work, which always makes me excited. For that reason, I like to wear something that makes me feel smarter. Of course I'll need something that feels great too! Tonight is date night, too! We are headed to go see Incubus!! Do you know how long I've wanted to see them? Eeeek!! (I'll try to snap a photo at the concert o include it in tomorrow's post.) I will also be inhaling copious amounts of caffeine today. My tiny one wanted to play into the wee hours of the night. Her giggles and smiles were so sweet, but *yaaaaaawwwwwwnnnn* this mama is tired! Without further ado...

Jacket: White House Black Market
Dress: Banana Republic
Belt: Sam Moon
Shoes: Tribeca, DSW
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Earrings: Gifted from a boutique in Kansas

 

Thank you all for the sweet compliments yesterday! It really boosted my self confidence! So much so that I was on enough of a high to go out and log some running miles. Wheee! High five!

Fall Fashion Week: Wednesday (with Tuesday snuck in)

It's a bit late as I type this, so forgive any errors. My images are taken in the gym at my office. I'm still trying to get the hang of balancing my phone/getting good light, but I'll get there. Anyway, here's Wednesday's outfit (taken bleary-eyed, so excuse the look of confusion):

Earrings: Banana Republic
Top: Cream drop waist blouse Banana Republic
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic...notice a trend?
Shoes: Ellen Tracy, DSW
Necklace: gifted from my friend in NYC

Yesterday's outfit:

Top: Kohl's
Skirt: Ann Taylor maaaaany years ago
Shoes: Rocket Dog, DSW
Necklace: Premier, maybe?
Cuff: crocheted by me, I was on my way go get coffee, imagine that

*BONUS*
Here are my cuties!

On Baby T: Carters pajama set gifted to Mari, saved for T
Sugarbean: Spongebob Jammies, Kohl's

Edited to add...I tend to compliment people on a regular basis. Whether it be for their clothes or the smile on their face. It just seems 2nd nature. I can't tell you how often my compliments turn an otherwise dark mood to a much happier one. I try to compliment people when I ride up the elevator to the office. Even if I am half out of it, I think it is a good way to start the day!

Fall Fashion Week

Dangit, I totally missed it, right? Well, I'm still going to try to catch up, from here forward. I wonder if I should share my "day" outfits and my "at home" outfits. I think I will! Check back for a post later on for fashion. I might even feature my girls!

Change of Perspective

I'm a working mom. I'm lucky to have an incredible partner in my daily adventures. Without him, well, I don't want to imagine it. Needless to say, we walk around in a zombie-like stage for some of the day. During the week, this is probably one of my most favorite views:


The one in the middle with the darker roof, that's my building! It's beautiful, right? When I first interviewed for the position where I am, I was in awe when I pulled up to the building. It reminded me of my adventure in Paris. I get to work in that building! Each morning during the week, bleary-eyed, I see this building and my brain clicks on. I like that feeling. As with all things, though, sometimes you need a break.

I took off a Friday to prepare for an extra special, sleep-away-from-our-kids night out with my hard working husband. In typical Bianca fashion, I did my best to not plan anything, but I still had some things scheduled. But I need to back up. Thursday, I was given a last minute project that was due mid-afternoon on Friday. Eeesh! I forgot to mention that I already had plans that evening with my beloved to attend a charity mixer. No worries, we'd still check it out and I'd work a bit that night and some of Friday.

Sure enough, we met up and boy howdy was he looking delicious! (Bonus points if you can find him) Doesn't that look fancy? I felt fancy! (Thanks Will & Nicole for watching the gals!)


We indulged on some yummies and toasted a night out. Sushi, crostini, open bar, lobster shooters oh my! By the end of the night, I was spent. I prepped for the next day and purposefully set my alarm for half an hour later. Instead, I was up half an hour earlier than normal. I helped Don get the Sugarbean ready and Tesla and I didn't rush the morning. I had a conference call, then I took her to school. I then chose to work away from home for a bit before my pedicure. (Lovely windshield...I should've taken the car to get detailed!)






Pedicure? Why yes! Thanks to Travel Zoo, I scored an awesome mani/pedi deal to a fancy spa! I bought it back during my birthday month and this was just the day to use it! Doesn't this just look so serene?



Next up, to meet friends for lunch! Here's where things were a bit wonky. More on that later.

Why yes, that's the fabulous Mandi of MakeupMandiTX! The service was unusually slow. The food was meh. But all of that was made up by the amazing company. When, I left, my phone started to die. I seemed to catch every red light. I couldn't get great parking. It was a disaster for the next several hours. And after a few crazy hiccups, things were finally getting back to normal. And I walked down the hall to our hotel room:

No, this isn't a scene from The Shining. It was our little getaway for the next few hours. See, we were attending our Primo's birthday party. Great Gatsby themed, with special instructions to arrive to the restaurant in masks. OoooOOOoooh! Here are several of us guest crammed into the elevator:


This is the party crew...

We dined, we danced, we took photos, both in front of the camera and behind it. We toasted and talked.



My favorite time in the evening was when we sat under the night stars on the open patio, laughing and random youtube snippets, singing, and just enjoying one another's company. Nearly 4AM (22 hours from when I was first up that morning) and I went to bed. I was up at 8, packing and getting ready to go home because the adventure was coming to a close. We drove home in silence, holding hands. (A very special thanks to my mother, sister, and nephew & niece for taking care of the girls for us!)



At the end of it all, I just had to give thanks for the life that I live. It's nice to go out and enjoy. It was definitely eye opening to me to see what our lives might have been like had we made a few different choices. But I wouldn't want it any other way. The thing that I kept going back to were these faces:


It was a nice adventure, but we missed our darling girls. Based on the way they slept, I think they had quite an adventure themselves! It seems a change of perspective did us all good.