I'm back!

I have neglected this blog for too long...I actually had become a little stumped on ideas believe it or not...I've noticed that I've gotten a few more followers so I decided that I need to become more active on here...I have alot to share...I have moved recently and with that comes looking for a job etc. etc.  Well, we have settled in pretty well, my daughter loves her new daycare center, and I've found a job in my new field of choice...Social Work!!! I'm so excited because this is what I wanted and I got it!  I decided several months ago that I wanted to change careers...I pretty much wanted out of being glued to a desk and computer all day because I found that it just wasn't me.  So, I did some research on the Social Work field as I do have a BA in Criminal Justice but I didn't want to go into law enforcement and I was close to going to law school but I decided that social work fit me perfectly...It is a very multi-faceted field and being as though I like to meet new people and help them I knew this would be a field that I would do exceptionally well in...I will be working with autistic children by implementing treatment plans and acting as a model for parents so they can learn techniques that can be used when dealing with their autistic child.  I feel so blessed and thankful that my entry level job is hands on and will help me gain the necessary experience I need to begin this new journey that I look forward to.  I'll fill you in on my experiences which I feel will be very rewarding and enlightening.  So, bear with me as I transition back into blogging from such a long hiatus ;-)  I'll be talking about autism in the near future and my experiences with the children which I hope to be very insightful for anyone who may have children who are autistic as I've found that many children are being diagnosed with autism lately and it made me more and more interested as to the cause and how the children are treated.  I was also intrigued by the talents they possess despite having this disability.  It will surely be a true learning experience for me so stay tuned for more updates on that in the near future :-)  Talk to you soon and Happy Holidays!!!

Halle Berry! No mom jeans for this Haute Mama!

Okay, we all know Halle Berry was haute before she became a mom but I must admit she is even more now because she proves that there is no age limit to being fiercely gorgeous and sexy especially when life takes the beautiful turn to motherhood! Halle is another one of my fave celebrity moms because she kills any doubt that you can work motherhood like you can work a pair of 4 inch stilettos! What do I love about her style? Two words: Classic and Effortless! If you're the type of mom that prefers comfy, put together, and classic than you may find Halle's style appealing.  Some of us don't want to be glammed up all day everyday and it is generally not feasible as our lives don't allow time for all of the fuss and you can look just as good keeping it simple! You know what they say "Less is More".  Ms. Berry shows us how you don't have to put alot of time and effort into being stylish while being a mommy!

                                                   Halle making pregnancy look beautiful!

                                        Rockin' boyfriend jeans, a white tank and flat sandals

                                                Workin' the skinny jeans and fitted top

Challenges of Motherhood

They're inevitable and come with the territory. Challenges come in many sporadic forms but are possible to overcome. Sometimes you have to be creative in your resolutions when it comes to the tests and trials your children can spring on you at any given moment. One of my experiences has been the challenge of washing my daughter's hair while she is screaming and begging for mercy as if I am inflicting excrutiating pain on her. No matter how gentle I was she would scream and cry and call for her daddy! Well, I used to get very upset and the way she would cry made me feel terrible as if I really was hurting her when I knew I wasn't. We can really let our little ones work us and she almost won the battle but one day I decided to take the calm method by speaking to her in a soft tone and saying "big girls don't cry when they get their hair washed. They sit and play with their toys and get to have chocolate for being such a good girl." Yeah, I know. Sounds like a bribe but I was desperate. Desperate times call for desperate measures and a little chocolate every know and then won't hurt. The outcome: Both mommy and daughter are happy and stress free on wash day! If you have a young daughter and wash their hair yourself you know exactly what I mean because from what I've heard this is common for many of us. Now when I give my daughter her weekly hair wash I always say "Okay, it's time for bath and getting your hair washed!" When I first began using the reverse psychology by using the "big girl vs baby" concept she had to grow accustomed to it so every now and then she would say "No! I don't want to get my hair washed!" Now, she says "I'm going to be a big girl and get my hair washed! Then, I'm going to have chocolate!" My lesson to dear daughter is you have to earn rewards in life. You just don't get the reward for the sake of getting it. So, she learns that if she behaves well when she gets her hair washed she earned the right to have some chocolate which is a reward not something she has to have or is entitled to. I'm not one of those types of parents that doesn't give my child sweets but I give them to her in limited amounts and because we didn't constantly consume soda, candy, and chips she opts for healthier alternatives like predominantly drinking water. She drinks juice maybe once or twice a day but predominantly water. I have to work on the milk but I give her a daily multi which has added calcium and she gets Vitamin D from other sources but for the mostpart she eats her fruits and veggies. She's at a point now where I believe her taste is changing. For example, she may love to eat granola bars for a few months and then all of a sudden she doesn't want granola bars or anything else she normally favors.

My daughter would eat Dora fruit snacks all day everyday if we let her so she tries to pull this "I don't want anything but Dora snacks" act on us. So, I tell her that she has to eat food like a sandwich or her chicken and veggies then maybe she can have Dora snacks so she would keep testing us and testing us to see if we would give in. Well, today I told her I was going to make her a sandwich for lunch and when she eats her sandwich she can have her Dora snacks. So, she finally decides to give in and she complied by eating her sandwich. Most of the time she would sit and cry and not eat her food because she's trying to see if we will give her what she wants. So, we've made some progression this weekend as far as wash day and teaching her that she has to eat her food before she can get sweets. I'll be updating the Challenges of Motherhood as this is an ongoing process so there will always be something new to share.

Flax Seed Oil!

Okay, in a quest to keep my health in good status I have finally decided to incorporate flax seed oil to my diet.  Me and the fam were visiting GNC last week and I picked up a bag of flax seeds and the clerk suggested I try the vegetarian flax seed oil as opposed to the actual seeds after I inquired about the taste of the flax seeds which he informed me was pretty strong (I interpreted that he meant 'nasty') so I opted to try the oil instead which he described as having a light nutty taste.  I've heard many great things about the health benefits of flax seed oil and after putting it off for years I've decided to give it a try so what I did after doing a little research this am was took a table spoon of the flax seed oil and mixed it with my yogurt.  It actually tastes pretty good! It has a nutty taste just like the clerk said and I don't mind it but if you do than I would say try adding it to a protein shake or a smoothie to really mask it. I tasted the yogurt prior to adding the flax seed oil and then after to see if their would be a major difference but it just added a nutty flavor to the yogurt which was pleasant to me since I like to add granola to my yogurt if I have it on hand so there was a similar taste in granola and flax seed oil when adding it to my yogurt.  I'll keep you posted on my progress but in the meantime here is some helpful information.

What is flax seed oil?

Flax seed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant (Linumusitatissimum, L.).  The oil contains both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which are necessary to maintain good health.  In addition, it also contains another essential fatty acid ALA (alpha linolenic acid) which is converted by the body into the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils (EPA- eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA- docosahexaenoic acid). 

Some Health Benefits of Flax Seed Oil

• Prevents cancer and reduces tumor growth in breasts, prostate and colon
• Promotes cardiovascular health
• Promotes colon health
• Helps reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
• Boosts immunity
• Promotes healthy skin
• May lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood sugar levels
• Increases metabolic rate

Helpful Facts

• Believed to increase the nutritional value when taken with other foods.  In fact, studies show that mixing flax seed oil with yogurt helps emulsify the oil which improves the body's digestion and metabolism as the essential fatty acids are incorporated into cell membranes
• Be sure to purchase flax seed oil stored in dark bottles as prolonged exposure to light, heat, and air affects the potency and cause it to spoil so refrigerate after opening
• Because of the aforementioned it is not suggested that you do not heat it up or cook with it as it should only be added to cold foods or cooked foods
• Flax seeds are high in protein, fiber, omega 3's, and lignans which are a type of phytoestrogen that may protect against certain forms of cancer

*Check with your doctor before consuming as the component, lignan is known to interfere with certain medications such as muscle relaxers, drugs prescribed to breast cancer patients, and acid reflux medications.  Also, those who are pregant or suffer from any gastrointestinal problems should consult their physician first. Although, it is generally safe for pregnant women to consume the recommended 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil per day just to be safe consult your obgyn.*

Kimora!

Need I say more? This woman is the epitome of the ultimate haute mama if you ask me! Entrepreneur, fashionista, mother, wife...The list goes on and on and yes many may argue it is easier for Kimora to juggle such a demanding career and motherhood because she can afford a team of people to help her but I have to say regardless she is workin' it and I admire her greatly! The way she carried herself with class and dignity during the publicized split with her ex-husband Russell Simmons yet still remained business partners with him and what seems to be a respectful and cordial relationship is pure hauteness as you all know my definition of haute goes beyond the fashion sense.  It is the depiction of pure class and holding one's own during life's obstacles which are no stranger to anyone be it rich, poor, black, white or whatever the situation may be and Ms. Simmons wears the haute badge of honor well...Expect to see much more of Kimora here as she is a great inspiration to myself and many others who aspire to be haute moms all around with the career, fashion sense and a beautiful family to boot! Whether she's rockin' a casual halter dress, jeans and heels or furs she always represents well!

                                        

Been busy...

I've been a little...Scratch that...VERY busy with moving...The moving part is over now I have the REAL challenge ahead of me which is adjusting to this new area...It seemed exciting at first but I guess my anxiety is getting the best of me...We're finally in PA and almost settled in but I still have lots to do i.e. find a job...Sigh...Not that I don't want to work but the idea of the same ole same ole which for me entails working in an office doing paper work and staring at a computer screen all day is not inviting for me so I've been contemplating some career changes...We'll see but as for now I have been so inspired by many women I have witnessed who have achieved what is most people's dream "Financial Independence" which makes for a very fulfilled and happy life...Seems unobtainable for most but it is one of my main goals! Not that I'm not happy at all...I am very blessed! I just feel a huge void and I know it's not my imagination...It is real and must be filled asap before I lose my mind...Guess I have to take my own advice and be optimistic while emitting positive energy so I can attract it...Utilize the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction to achieve my career goals! In the meantime, I will try to update more often than just when the mood hits me ;-) When we're done unpacking and I get a job I want to start decorating the house gradually starting with the master bedroom so I will be sharing some home decor ideas here for your viewing pleasure and maybe it will inspire u to change things up a bit! Of course the focus will be chic, comfortable, and frugal!

Let's Talk about Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)!

My mother swears by ACV! She believes ACV can cure any ailment as long as you use it as a preventative measure. I can say honestly that all my life I cannot remember my mother ever falling ill and that is no lie! I used to wonder 'what does she do that makes her so full of energy and never get sick'? She later told me that she started taking ACV years ago.  She drinks a teaspoon full every morning straight and chases it with hot water.  She says that if a person does this every day as a preventative measure they will not get colds, flu or any other common ailment.  She also tries to convince me that it can prevent other illnesses like cancer but these are her theories and if I can find some testimonies and information to back it up I will follow up on this article later.  I can attest to the fact that ACV has improved my skin tremendously when I use it as a toner at night after cleansing. I also take it internally mixed with honey, water and a little cinnamon as a health tonic to boost my energy and help rid my body of toxins. I have been slacking lately but I plan to incorporate this in my daily diet.  I want to continuously reap the benefits of what is historically believed to be naturally cleansing and healing to the body.  I  use Bragg ACV which can be purchased at most health stores i.e. Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC.   Bragg's brand is so much better than other leading brands that you can find in regular grocery stores because it is raw and unfiltered and contains what is referred to as the 'Mother' which are strands of protein enzyme molecules that form naturally.  This is not to discredit any other pure brands of ACV but I can personally speak on Bragg because I have been using it for years now and several months on my skin which has remained pimple free ever since (despite the occasional small pimple which rears its ugly head every so often).  If I do get any small pimple it is because I may be slacking on the ACV meaning  I may have skipped a week of using it out of pure laziness.  All I do is get back into my regimen of using about 2 teaspoons(approximately) of ACV on a cotton swab after cleansing my skin and the pimple disappears within a few days. Gone are the days of those pesky pimples that linger and linger for weeks all to transform into a dark blemish which is a whole other story.  I highly recommend ACV for the skin and taken as I mentioned earlier as a health tonic.  No concrete evidence on how it improves my health besides the fact that I rarely get sick but other factors could contribute to that as well. Here are pics that show my skin prior to ACV use and then after using ACV for a few weeks:

Here is the left side of my face where you can clearly see the pimples

Another left side shot of my acne prior to using ACV

Ugh! I strongly dislike this pic but anyhoo...A frontal view of my acneic skin

3 months after using ACV at night as a toner

Frugal Shopping Tips!

I'd like to share some of my ways of maintaining my sexy as a mother without "breaking the bank"...I don't know about you but I learned at an early age that spending alot of money on clothes  is not wise and cheaper options can be more beneficial for you and your pockets.  This heavily applies to most of us during this economic situation we are facing.  My favorite places to shop right now are Target, H&M, Forever21, TJMaxx, and Marshall's to name a few..haha...You get the idea as these are retailers who sell name brand items for less or stylish clothes for a very low price! Can I just express my heartfelt love for Target!? lol...I recently went to browse through their shoe selections and fell in love with several pairs but I  only ended up purchasing two pair.  This cognac wedge http://www.target.com/mdp/B002RCPKZ4/ref=br_qi_1_26?sr=1-26&qid=1276475098&asin=B002RCPKZ4 and this semi wedge sandal with woven detail (also in cognac) somewhat reminiscent of the popular gladiator sandals  http://www.target.com/mdp/B002Q1DN1O/ref=br_qi_1_2?sr=1-2&qid=1276475657&asin=B002Q1DN1O.  I must say that I was not "supposed to" go shopping when I got these but I decided to get them anyway and I'm glad I did because they are both surprisingly comfortable and although not genuine leather they don't look cheap! lol...I'm proud of my purchases and have always been one to shop wisely so I wanted to dish on some of my ways of being frugal without sacraficing style:

1) Don't buy items full price: Unless they are already a "decent" price don't purchase items full price.  Normally, clothes go on sale so just keep watching the item that you just "have to have" for sales and as soon as they mark it at a lower price GRAB IT! lol I have been looking for a camel or military green cargo jacket and spotted one in Old Navy (can't remember the sale price) but I didn't like the quality so I ended up marching my behind to JCrew and right there on the sale's rack was a camel colored cargo jacket marked down to $59.99 from the original $99! Can you say "STEAL"??!! So, I grabbed it! I knew if I waited it would be gone! ;-) Cargo jackets are so versatile!

2) Shop at retail stores like Target and H&M for good quality and stylish clothing for less:  I always tell people not to sleep on Target and most smart fashionistas already know this.  H&M is one of my favorite retail stores because you can shop for t-shirts and leggings for the weekend at the park with the kids, sexy dresses and tops for a night out with the girls or a dinner with the hubby and work attire! Let me also mention that they do have a male and children's section! Just in case you wanna pick the hubby up a few shirts and slacks just to shut him up for when you walk in the door with that H&M bag ;-)  Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 are big on style but keep their prices low as well and although most 25 and older ladies shy away from these somewhat "teeny bopperesque" stores it really is worth sucking up your pride for more stylish yet cheaper clothes and trust me you will not look like you belong in high school when you learn what type of items to buy (I will do a post on this later as this gave me an idea for another entry) as they have a variety of styles from bohemian chic to your classic finds like blazers, t-shirts and jeans which should all be in your closet as they are the basic apparel necessities.

3) Shop off -season:  Keep it classy and frugal ladies! Classic means "timeless" so these types of styles are must-haves for someone who wants to maintain their sexy without looking dated and ridiculously trendy.  For example, it's summertime and as I mentioned earlier I bought a cargo jacket from J Crew for $60 and it was originally priced at $99 so although I won't be able to wear it until the Fall I got a better deal for the jacket than I would've had I bought it when it first hit the rack ;-) This goes for shoes as well! When those boots go on sale near the Spring season then you need to jump on it if you can because they lower the prices generously and that is your objective to be stylish but frugal at the same time which proves that  stylish+frugal= smart. It is imperative ladies!

Back from my HIATUS ;-)

I know it has been FOREVER since I have blogged! Been very busy and there is so much going on right now...Between being a mother, wife, work, in the process of selling our house and moving to PA! UGH! I have been so overwhelmed and I have not been feeling too "creative" lately but that all is going to change as I still adjust to being a  new blogger....When I began I had so many ideas and my head was full of all kinds of information I wanted to form into one of the next best blogs out here but I fell off track so I'm trying to get back into blog mode :-)