Happy Stranger Things, Season 2 Debut Day!

 

  I was cleaning out and reorganizing Nora's closet the other day, and going through some of our dear friend's and my goddaughter's hand-me-downs to Nora when I stumbled upon this dress.  Right away, I show Greg, and joked Nora should be Eleven for Halloween.  
Obviously knowing Nora would never go for that (she's already firmly told me she is dressing up as Peppa Pig, plus has no idea who Eleven is, I decided to celebrate TODAY, the Netflix debut of Stranger Things, season two, with a little Nora nod to Eleven (I mean, she already has the right hair).
She thought it was fun to dress up, but mostly she was super excited to get a waffle. I just wish I had Eggo Waffles (at least the box!) on hand to really bring this look to life. ;)  Now, who is spending all weekend binge watching Stranger Things??
In case you need a last minute Halloween costumer, here is how to achieve Nora's Eleven look:

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Watch Your Favorite Shows Without Cable or even a TV!

I have internet and cable - but if I had to chose between them, it'd be internet hands down.  And these days, you can do anything and more online that with cable alone, including watch TV!  And in fact, nowadays, your TV is smarter than they used to be - using your internet's connection to do so much more than cable alone can provide. Like pull up your favorite shows - no matter when they aired!
These days, I'm sneaking away for some mama alone time to catch up on my favorite show, The Voice!  This show has some seriously amazing talent - and I love watching each episode's challenge, performances and guest coaches!  This is also the kind of show that you can jump in on and start watching at anytime thanks to NBC TVE and their deep library of full episodes!  
So, grab your laptop, head to your desktop or pull up on your smart TV - and watch now!
What's your favorite show - and do you watch TV online yet?

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Stealing a Moment

With the holidays here, there is a lot of hustle and bustle to get everything done - the gift shopping, present wrapping, dinners planned, decor put up just right - the list goes on. It's such a happy time, but can be stressful, too!  I have to take a few minutes for myself every now and again to stay sane and regroup.  
As you probably know (since I have this here blog and am active on social media...), I love all that the Internet brings in such an accessible way.  I recently discovered Seriously Distracted, an online POPSUGAR miniseries about a PR agency (which is similar to what I do in my day job), and it's pretty funny.  It's also not super long, so I can make the time for these quick little breaks.  I also love connecting with others through stories and images across blogs and social channels, so this blog and, if I had to pick one, Instagram are my go-to quick escapes.
So, lately I've been sneaking away to catch up on the show, twist open a fruitwater that packs tons of flavor (with no calories!), sit back and relax for a bit.  You can tune in on Tuesdays to catch the newest episode, and for your connivence - here is the first episode so you can start stealing that moment for yourself right now:




P.S. fruitwater is having an awesome contest right now.  Follow them on Instagram (here), submit a favorite photo showing us how you make the most of your day by stealing a moment for yourself, and you could win a $1,000 prize towards your next stolen moment! Make sure to tag @fruitwaterbev and use #stealmomentsweeps and #fruitwater in your Instagram submission. Good Luck!
This post was sponsored by fruitwater through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about fruitwater, all opinions are my own.

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POPSUGAR is on TV!

   

Guys, how cool is this?  POPSUGAR, the sites and full digital experience you know and love is now on TV!  POPSUGAR Now is on weeknights 6/5c on TVGN. You can find your local channel here.  This channel will bring you celeb, fashion and lifestyle content - including all the details behind award season, from what the celebs eat, wear and who they're mingling with.  

And to kick off their launch, they're offering $100 J.Crew giveaway just for tweeting.  Go here for more info!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write a post about POPSUGAR NOW, all opinions are my own.

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Trying to have it all: Tia & Tamera Season Premier!

The Style Network is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels to watch... late at night, while I move my tush on the eliptical, as I work on blog posts or finish work after Liam is sleeping in the evenings. I have it on a lot. I've long been a fan of Giuliana & Bill, and in my younger days a HUGE fan of Sister, Sister - so I'm really excited to finally get on board for the 3rd season on Tia & Tamera!  The season premier airs Sunday, July 14th at 8/7c on Style. 
I haven't watch season 1 or 2, though I'm thinking I'll want to catch up on those for fun, but I'm really excited for this season because of where these ladies are at in their lives.  Each with a young child, balancing being mothers, wives and having a career, a situation so many of us can relate with.  Tia & Tamera will be juggling how they strive to have it all as they deal with a lot of the same types of things we do - but they'll be doing it on camera for us all to watch!
I know I personally struggle with work/life balance. I would rather, more than anything, spend time with my family, but driven to get work, home chores, errands and obligations done can leave me stressed out. With another baby on the way and this pregnancy being unlike my last (so much more tiring), I've been forced to reexamine and actualize my priorities.  A few things I'm trying out....
1. Learning to say no. This is THE challenge for me. I'm a hard worker and want to do it all!  I thrive on doing good work because it makes me feel like I'm constantly learning, accomplishing and contributing to this world.  Not just in my daily job, but outside projects and with this blog. I love having opportunities to take on a new project and I fear if I start turning things down, the opportunities will slow.  So when I receive a request, I try to to quickly understand if this is truly an opportunity that will benefit me somehow or just something that will potentially take up time.  I also try to be candid, open and honest with people when I turn them down so they understand why and where I'm coming from.  If it might be something that could be a fit in the future - I make sure they know that and I keep in touch.  Overall, I've been turning things down more and slowly the anxiety over that is getting better.
2. Enjoying the downtime. There may not be a lot of it, but usually I'm someone who packs every minute of the day with something and always has to be busy. I don't know what to do with myself if I have time to myself. Relaxing doesn't come naturally to me. I work well under pressure, handle multiple projects at a time and while stress is never healthy, usually can swim through it pretty successfully. So, as I've been eliminating projects (saying no to things), I've found a bit more time to learn how to relax. After the little guy goes to sleep, I am able to sometimes stay off my computer and spend time with my husband. I even read a book this summer!
3. Taking in the now.  Having a child really has helped me with this.  Seeing him change, learn and grow so fast in his only-19 months has helped me realize even more so how fast life really goes. Way too fast.  I don't want to look back on my life and see it as a blur. I don't want to put things off until tomorrow (this reminds me of Garth Brooks' song The River...). I want to get out and explore life with my family. I want all this, I just need to do more of it. 
How do you balance work/obligations and family life?

Don't forget to check out Tia & Tamera, plus love their style:

Thank you so much to the Style Network for sponsoring today's post! I work with Linqia to bring relevant pieces of info to you all - things that I am excited about and hope you are, too! So while this post is sponsored, all thoughts and opinions are mine. Thank you for supporting our sponsors!

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So you want to see me on TV?

   

Well, that was a first.

Kansas City Fox 4 morning news invited me on air to talk about how to incorporate this year's Pantone color of the year, emerald green, into everyday wear - from work, to going out and weekend wear - just in time for St. Patrick's Day!  

It was thrilling, and nothing scarier to have ever happened to me than to watch myself after. I'm actually surprised I'm even going to share it... but the models did and looked fantastic, and I really like the outfits I styled (which the above photo doesn't do them any justice... so watch the video).

   

Now for some major props to the following brands that let me use their goods to style these beauties (and had us all drooling over the pieces in the green room).  Outfit details: 

 Tonicia sported how you can incorporate green into your work wear with a Madewell stripe sweater, sleek pencil skirt from Monkey Wrench Clothing, Madewell suede flats and R Treasure Boutique gold with green stone bracelets. 

 Morgan (you all know her as one of the co-owners of the amazing Ampersand Studio) had everyone drooling over the lace top under a right on trend utility jacket, skinny green belt (all from Madewell Town Center Plaza) and her own super freaking cute Target espadrille wedges (running to get my own immediately).

Johanna rocked the going out look and showed how you can dress up the lace fabric and print previously shown in Morgan's top and wore the shorts.  I had fun with this outfit and mixed prints with Madewell's new linen tank in polka dot and a custom clutch from Maddy Nash (you can design your very own!).

Also featured, green beauty products from Beauty Brands!

(My top is an oldie from Anthro - but similar top here)

Again, huge thank you to the brands that lent me their items to feature and style, the lovely models, Kat who walked me through my first time and of course Fox 4 for having me! 

If you like the video, please share it! :) Thanks for your support!

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Fade into... knit.

Cozy cozy. I love a big knit scarf or sweater or blanket to really sink my face (apparently) into. Winter also brings more couch cuddles watching my new favorite show, Nashville, where I'm kinda obsessed with the song 'fade into you.'  Anyone else watching this show?

Keep reading to see my other new Old Navy dress layered up under that blazer and cowl knit...

HGTV Designer Extraordinaire, Dear Genevieve

The star of HGTV's namesake show, Dear Genevieve and judge on Design Star, Genevieve Gorder attended the Signature Home event last Thursday night.  It was so fun to meet here and have her in Kansas City! I couldn't wait to ask her a few questions, since she is my favorite interior designer, starting back in the TLC's Trading Spaces day! 

Keep reading to learn a bit more about her, few tips and see some fun pics...

Bethenny Rocks Lingerie, in Public

For her birthday, Bethenny wore a fitted lady tux with her very own new line of Shapewear (shown on last night's episode).  But this shapewear isn't look like your Grandma's.  She calls it lazy lingerie, what do you think?

 Bethenny photo source and product purchase info here.

Would you wear this type of shapewear/lingerie out in public?  I think Bethenny utterly rocked it, but could anyone pull it off? I'm not sure!  I don't know if this is something I'd try.

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Dress for Less: Bethenny's Navy Blue Jumpsuit

Have you all been watching Bethenny Ever After on Bravo (Monday nights at 10/9c)?  I started, not sure I'd get hooked, but I did! I love it.  She is so much better on her own show than RHONY.  I feel like Bethenny helps you see how it really is to be a busy (I mean a REALLY busy) mom, full-time worker, newly wed and on the go.  Plus, she is rediculously hilarious - and dresses really well.

Get Bethenny's navy blue jumpsuit look for LESS.

You can get her similar jumpsuit from Old Navy for $29.50 (and now through 3/20 get 30% off with the coupon in post below)

And get her bling-look, too:

Paved gold ring for under $6 from Forever 21 and Textured Teardrop gold earrings for under $3 from Forever 21

And you can't forget to drink this while wearing all that:

Has anyone ever tried Bethenny's Skinny Girl Margarita?

The Bachelor: Shopping Women After the Rose

Chantal looked great 4 months later in a red, one-shoulder embellished dress available at Nordstrom - Laundry by Shelli Segal:

Emily, the girl Brad chose, shows up with a darker shade of blond, more layers in her hair and still looking good... She wears a white brocade dress lined in black.

 

And some of the Bachelor couples-who've-made-it...

Loved Molly's bright blue dress:

BCBGMAXAZRIA One Shoulder Bandage Dress available for $368 

And if you want the look for less - this one by Adrianna Papell is more than half the price!

It was so good to see Trista and Ryan!  They seem only more in love after all these years!!  SO cute!

She dazzled in layered necklaces by Stella & Dot (go here to learn how to buy AND get entered to win Stella & Dot pieces)!! Her cute ruffle dress is by Hale Bob, which she tweeted - get it here.

Ali and Roberto still going strong, and Ali looking pretty in purple!

Scala dress available for $158 here.

Check out my TWO Giveaways going on here.