Get Out & Vote.

 

 

Special treat for you guys today! One of my dearest friends, Katie, wrote today's post. She is a constant source of inspiration for me - from her personal style (like this pink suit!) and demeanor, to her whit and whimsy, to how she views the world - and better yet, what she does to help make it a better place, and so much more. Because of all that, and that she has worked in government at both the state and federal level for more than a decade, and now works in D.C. for a nonprofit focusing on education policy, I thought she was the perfect person for a voting pep talk. :)

Oh, and her fabulous style (more of that at the bottom).

I recently read a comment by a blogger I follow, who said she doesn’t share her political views on her platform because: “I don’t feel this should be a factor in why people choose to like me or not.” While I disagree with her premise, I respect her decision to choose to share the content she wishes. Megan and I have been talking over the last couple of weeks about how to use this space, and she asked me to share some thoughts with you about why we hope you consider exercising your right to vote next week (Tuesday, November 6th) - regardless of the vote you cast.

Since the birth of our country, voting has been an action that the powerful have tried to manipulate in a myriad of ways - from outright bans for certain segments of the population (ahem women, minorities) to Jim Crow laws, party machines, and modern day voter suppression efforts. If so many people are interested in taking this right away it must mean that voting is important! Decisions made by our elected policymakers at every level of government affect every aspect of our lives, whether you like it or not. I’m sure each of us has at least one issue that we care deeply about - whether it is better education for our kids, safer roads so you can bike to work, equal pay so that your daughters have the same earning potential as your sons, public safety to protect women from sexual assault, affordable health care so that your family doesn’t face bankruptcy as our parents age or a family member experiences unexpected illness. And elected officials are making decisions on these issues each and every day.

And, as US Citizen without representation in Congress (shout out to my fellow District of Columbia residents!), I am truly jealous of your (those in the 50 states within this country) ability to make your voice heard on November 6th. Though many try to make voting hard, there are some easy steps you can take to get involved.

1. Make a plan to vote. Do you know where your polling place is? Do you know the hours of voting? Do you have early voting in your area?
2. Tell your boss/work that you need to take some time away to vote!  Can’t get away? There is still time to cast your vote early.
3. Do some googling on the candidates. Which offices are on the ballot? Who are the candidates? What are their policy positions? The internet has made this very easy to figure out, and quickly!
4. Just do it. Vote!

It seems pretty straightforward, right? (If you answered yes to that question - yay! But please be mindful that many of our neighbors voting still isn’t an easy process - maybe check in with your friends and family to see if there is anything you can do to help them stay enfranchised.) Our elected officials are a reflection of our values and priorities, and a chance to make your voice heard. I hope you will take time this election season to exercise your right to vote and shape the values and priorities of your community going forward. Every vote matters.

Not sure where to start googling? TheSkimm has created a No Excuses campaign with information for elections across the country and Rock the Vote is always a great resource for voting information. And who knows - maybe in the next election your name will be on the ballot, too! ;)

Shop Her Look:

Huge thanks to Katie for today's content! And I hope you ALL exercise your right to vote!

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Guest Post: Taking your baby bump to the party!

Winter is upon us; for some, this evokes images of snowstorms, hot coco, and bundling up in layers of quilts. However, a lot of people think of it as party season! After all, this is when there’s the office Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve parties, winter galas and perhaps even a wedding or two.  Getting ready for these exciting events can become much more challenging when your baby bump is seemingly growing by the day. No, there’s no more Fairy Godmother to sprinkle magical dust and instantaneously turn you into a princess, but take a look at our suggestions and see if you don’t get inspired!

There’s never been a better time to be expecting. Fashion is flexible and open to interpretation, and this is particularly evident with pregnancy style. Lately, the universe stepped up to the plate, producing a bumper crop of pregnant, celebrity role models to inspire us. From the royals of Europe to the royals of the red carpet, we had England’s’ Duchess of Cambridge, Rock n’ Roll’s Gwen Stefani and Hollywood’s’ Halle Berry to show us just how dazzling pregnancy could be. 

And it’s a great time of year to be dressing the baby bump – All the styles that flatter and fit a curvy, voluptuous figure are well-suited for the colder seasons. The graceful, flowing lines of a full length maxi-dress will suit you as never before. You can do drama, you can do classic, and you can embrace longer or shorter. Think edgy – dark wash skinny maternity jeans with a deeply theatrical creamy shirt. Add slouchy boots and some eye-catching jewelry for a charmingly boho look. Not dressy enough? Lose the boots and add some heels and, if provided height give you the wobblies, then slip on a pair of trendy flats in their place!

Keeping in mind that dark colors are slimming, black maternity skinnies with a black T and an evening blazer left unbuttoned are a sophisticated start. Opt to wear longer, flower shirts that can effortlessly conceal your pants’ elastic or the presence of a baby belly band that will help keep your unbuckled jeans held up.  Remember that the goal of accessories is to lengthen your form, so choose necklaces, scarves and earrings that stretch vertically. Choose attention-grabbing jewelry that will draw attention up to your cleavage and face and away from the baby bump, and steer clear of small, dainty jewelry that would get visually overlooked and make you appear bigger. Do you fancy fitted? Empire waistlines emphasize your décolletage by hugging the bust while gently flaring over your curves. Or would you rather channel a Grecian goddess? Most knit fabrics including jersey fold and drape superbly, enhancing curves while cascading gracefully over those parts you’d rather hide.

The A-line dress ending just above the knee is a dressy classic. The coat-dress is a similar British tradition continued by the Duchess of Cambridge. And don’t forget the legendary wrap dress; the most forgiving of styles, easy to wear and accessorize. A wrap dress hugs your curves accentuating your bust, creating a flirty, sexy look. Check out A Pea in the Pod for inspiration!

Colors like dark blue, charcoal and black will instantly make you appear slimmer, but what about if you have to wear white and you find yourself floating down the aisle with your full, pregnant belly leading the way? Find a bridal gown that will flair out higher on your torso, much like an empire waist, and gently flows vertically down; forego a full skirt that billows outward, as this will add unnecessary volume. Additionally, opt for a dress with short sleeves or straps, as expecting women are more inclined to become warm and a removal shawl or coat is a much better way to keep toasty during a winter ceremony than permanent sleeves.  Don’t bemoan that there won’t be options out there for you, as retailers like David’sBridal have specific sections dedicated to maternity wedding dress.

Who says your feet have to be uncomfortable to be cute? The last thing a pregnant momma needs is frumpy! More and more manufacturers are marrying cool style, and designs with technology for trouble-free feet. There are alternatives to Birkenstocks! Some lucky mommas can rock a pair of sky-high heels – think Victoria Beckham! Expecting moms often benefit from increased arch support, so equip your footwear with comfortable insoles or purchase flats that provide orthotic structure.

Draw attention to features you like best. Would your bust put a swimsuit model to shame? Rock that cleavage with scooped neck tops. Have your nails and skin got that special glow? Treat yourself to a salon manicure. Have your makeup reflect your sparkle. Pregnancy doesn’t have to stop you from fashionably stealing the spotlight at the next party you attend this winter; a little bit of strategic dressing, a touch of confidence and that beautiful pregnancy glow will undoubtedly look and feel beautifully sexy.

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Guest Post: Speed Up Your Beauty Routine!

As a hard-working mama, primping and pampering yourself is not your first (or second or third) priority. Sometimes, getting ready may not even fit into the day’s schedule. But believe it or not – it’s not impossible to keep up with a speedy beauty routine. Try out these tips and tricks to race the clock and get your child to school and you to work on time while looking fabulous:

1.  Do your hair the night before

It might sound silly, but your hair will often times look better in the morning than you thought it ever could! Straightening or adding waves to your hair before you go to bed will save you time the next morning, considering you’ll either be good to go when you wake up or only have to re-do bits and pieces. Additionally, always keep dry shampoo on standby. Dry shampoo is a life-and-time-saver; it removes dirt and oil from your hair without having to shower! By applying this miracle product, you can make your look fresh and clean with a simple few spritzes and hair flips.

2.  Use beauty sets to take care of your skin

The great thing about beauty kits is that everything is already planned for you. Without even realizing it, following the steps of a skin care plan saves you time and money as they are designed to work together for optimal results and take the guess work out of perfecting your regiment. Brands like Elizabeth Grant offer full sets for skincare recovery, facial cleansing, anti-aging, and eye filling treatments at ShopNBC.com. Consider using a set for your morning face wash routine as well, as an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. A 3-step process with a facial cleanser, astringent, and moisturizer from Clean & Clear will quickly set up with a fresh A.M. feeling. cure”. 

3.  Stay organized

Cosmetics can wind up everywhere. Separate your everyday makeup from your special occasion makeup. Don’t clutter your makeup bag with various products that you would only touch for the family holiday party. Keep one of each everyday item in a convenient location near your mirror. Running around looking for the lipstick you want to wear, or the foundation you live by only wastes times and causes frustration! By organizing your makeup, everything will have a place right where you need when you find yourself in a rush.

4.  Find products that help you streamline

As women, it is proven that we are better at multi-tasking! Take advantage and always be doing two things at once. If you need to shave your legs in the morning, do it while your face mask soaks in. If you need to wash your hair, use a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Keep in mind that your beauty routine is on a time limit when buying your makeup. For instance, beauty balm will serve as a primer for your foundation, moisturize your skin and provide essential SPF, all within less than a minute. Choose eye shadow palettes like Urban Decay’s NakedPalette with all of the shades you will use, so you don’t have to switch palettes in the middle of your routine!

It’s easy to underestimate the time it takes to get ready in the morning, but it’s also easy to cut that time down. By following these steps, you’ll notice a shorter beauty routine without having to worry about applying your makeup rushed and sloppily!

Thank you to Miranda Gertsy, a Connecticut mother of two daughters and one son, and lover of all things beauty, for providing some tips and tricks today! When she’s not taking the kids to dance class, football practice, or school – Miranda is always on the lookout for a new beauty product to add to her huge collection!

Shop some of the recommended products in this post right here:

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