I unexpectedly ended up in the hospital last weekend with early contractions. Luckily, my daughter decided to stay put (at least for now), but her near early arrival prompted me to hurry up and get my hospital bag packed. For my first pregnancy, I packed my hospital bag based on this The Bump list. A…
When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I knew I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on maternity clothes because the pregnancy time-frame is so short. For both of my pregnancies, I managed to spend very little money on maternity clothes, by buying some staple pieces and working with…
A new take on the French Manicure My nails are usually bare, but if I do get a manicure, I generally choose a very pale pink or just opt for clear nails. With New Years Eve upon us, I thought it would be fun to add a little sparkle to my nails. Essie has a…
Cyber Monday, the kickoff of the online holiday shopping season, is just around the corner. Online-only and brick and mortar retailers will soon flood their websites and mailers with many online-only discounts. To find the best deals and save the most money, you need to be prepared. The following tips will be a refresher for…
What was the first interview suit you bought for your first real job interview? For many of us, it was a standard issue black pants suit – practical, versatile and boring. It takes effort to bring an outfit from boring to chic, that’s why many of our black suits don’t often make it out of…
Finding the best concealer for your face can be arduous, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple rules and guidelines, it’s not just easy, but fun. I’ll walk you through these rules and how I applied them to products I tested. 1. Determine if you need foundation or concealer. If you want…
The J. Crew return policy is awesome! A retailer’s customer service is measured when a purchased item breaks or you have trouble locating an item. A welcome greeting is certainly appreciated but amounts to friendly banter rather than actual service. Getting the tough stuff right – a fair return policy – is all that really matters…
In my late 20s, my skin started to show signs of sun damage, like age spots and broken capillaries. Pregnancy gave me melasma, which causes more discoloration on my face. My skin, suffice it to say, is starting to show its age. I thought it was time to try one of the many products on…
The moment a stylist spins the chair around to reveal your newly coiffed hair in the mirror is one of life’s lesser appreciated emotional crossroads. A good haircut gives you confidence; a bad one can bring you to tears. I recently got the worst haircut of my life. I got absolutely butchered. Gone were six…
As I once again prepared to pack up my belongings for yet another move, I sat back to count the number of times I’ve moved since leaving my parents’ house for college. The number is 15. Fifteen moves in 15 years. The pity party I could throw myself for the sheer annoyance I’ve endured, with…
Most summers, I go back home to visit my parents, old friends and extended family. This summer, I’m bringing Rocco with me so I can introduce him to everyone. The thought of lugging an infant and all of the things he needs so I can take care of him while away (diapers, formula, baby food,…
When it comes to shopping for fashion, some people really enjoy the process – browsing stores, strolling through malls, trying things on, etc., while others would skip all of that just to find a good deal. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle. I actually prefer using the internet to find items and then…
I am seriously into purses (and shoes)—you could almost call it an addiction. Sprawled on the couch with my laptop, chances are good that I’m browser-window shopping for handbags. What started as a minor obsession to find a Marc Jacobs STAM bag, back in 2005, has become a weekly, if not daily, obsession to find the…
