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I barely got my Christmas cards out, I mean just in the nick of time. That probably would have never happened had it not been for the ability to order online and pay excessive amounts for rush shipping. If you are like  me but you just didn’t quite make the timeline or didn’t want to dish out your paycheck in shipping fees, check out these cute New Year’s Cards a great alternative to the  Christmas card mail rush.

http://www.lilsugar.com/Photo-New-Years-Cards-Kids-20999077

1. I purchased way too much stuff- You know that moment when your kids think they are done opening toys but find out there are like 5 other gifts under the tree and they are frustrated that they have to open more because they would really  like to play with the ones they already opened….whew that was a mouthful, but yeah, that happened!

2. The kids slept in their clothes they stayed up so late- They finally fell off to sleep well…sometime, I don’t know when because well I was already sleep! After having hosted the entire family for dinner I was exhausted! That’s why I purchased all those toys so I could get a full day of rest…don’t judge me.

3. My husband and I were playing with some toys more than the kids - Ok well let me be honest, we were playing with it so much the kids didn’t get a turn. The microphone stand that connects to your Ipod that one was the best, honey recorded my performance of Whitney Houston’s I will always love you, while my son stood crying asking for his microphone back…so much for back up singing!

4. I was slightly disappointed I didn’t get the Gucci purse I asked for- I mean come on people, it was a mere $4,500.00 where is the love?

5. There is no way I would ever give Santa credit for all my hard work- Call me selfish but this goes without saying.  We tell our kids there is mommyclaus and daddyclaus. If you want to track us on the Nordic system be my guest! Or you can ride the train to our home and call it the polar express…BELIEVE me when I tell you the way we save, shop, stand in line, compare prices, place orders, do returns, place orders again, call stores, and so much more for you to have the perfect toys is quite magical!

Now I know how this dreaded question can have the tendency to take over our lives, and with most events taking place within weeks, even days of each other shopping for hours on end for the perfect dress is far too bothersome. There is an answer to this question and it the little black dress. Now, if you are a mom who does not own a little black dress…shame on you! You can however redeem yourself by making an investment in this wardrobe staple and then and only then will you be set for the remainder of the holiday season now and forever after. For those of us who already have 1, 2, or even 7 lbds this blog is for you!

5 Ways to transform your little black dress for the holidays.

Go Casual- If you are attending a dinner with friends or a party at someone’s home the dress is most often business attire or casual. Great casual wear include pairing your lbd with a structured yet feminine jean jacket and boots.  Boyfriend blazers with a belt or a v-necked sweater would make a great casual look as well. Faur fur vests or a feminine motorcycle jacket are also great additions to a lbd to keep a modern casual look.

Company Parties- Nothing says professional like a great black dress, it is the ultimate fashion statement! A polished look at company parties can be just as important as the clothing you wear to work day to day and whether you are attending the party as the company CEO or the spouse of an employee, dressing to impress is always a formula for success! Consider pairing your dress with a festive colored cardigan in reds, greens, or golds..(refrain from overly decorated sweaters with ornaments, lights, and reindeer). Another great addition would be to add a brooch, scarf or bolero and small or medium sized accessories with just the right amount of bling. Black pumps and colorful tights can also add a subtle yet charming touch.

Charity Events- Most charity events are gala or reception style. This means long dresses, lots of bling and stilletoes. Don’t fret the lbd still fits the bill, just add large accessories as statement pieces which will provide lots of glitz and glam! Stilletoes with lots of sparkle and shine along with a great heel can dress your lbd while a small clutch, ring, and lots of bracelets can be the finishing touch.

School Events- School plays, recitals, and Christmas programs can take over your life during this time of year. Just as important as the kids understanding their lines is what you will wear to the event. There is nothing worse than being the mom with the christmas sweater that lights up and the earrings to match Pair your dress with a wrap sweater, belt, and boots or wear it patterned tights, heels, and a chunky statement necklace.

Dinner Parties- Last but not least there are generally a lot of dinner parties around this time of year. These parties may be held at home or out at a restaurant. For parties held at restaurants this maybe a great time to dress up just a little more than casual. Pair your lbd with a capelet or poncho style wrap and boots to get this season’s latest look. Not only will you look pulled together but it will give that lbd just the boost it needs to go from boring to breathtaking.

These are all some great ways to make that little black dress work in your favor during the holiday season. This is a great way to stretch your dollar and get the most use out of your dress which is generally important to most moms around this time of year. For the next couple of weeks you will no longer have to fret about party invitations you receive because you already know what you will wear! Now comes the hard part, fitting in the same dress while drinking hot coco and eating chocolate chip cookies…then again maybe that is just for me!

Make it a great Mommy day ! www.facebook.com.tiffanyfulcher, @tiffulcher

Fall is my favorite time of the year for fashion,  the layers, boots, chunky knits, and tights all of these items have work hard at showing off your figure but hiding flaws all at the same time.   Below are just a few fashion finds that I am really looking forward to purchasing to enhance my current wardrobe this fall!

Sweater dresses are one of my favorite fall statement pieces. This one from Victoria’s Secret has just the right cut and is just the right length, perfect for a night out with friends. Add a wide belt for the curvy girls and show off that waistline.

This adorable chunky knit sweater and boots are a must have! Great for volunteering at the kids school, or running errands out and about! 3 hearts for this one! Believe it or not I found this in an AVON catalog…go figure.

Pair that sweater with a great pair of high rise tights, yes I said high rise and they are cotton.  These are the product of our beloved Sara Blakely and SPANX…God bless that woman! Perfect way to cover up those slight imperfections!  Just a little bit on the high end for tights at $72.00 but I am more of a quality versus quantity kind of girl. Based on my past experience with spanx their products  have proven to be worth every penny.

Next up this camel colored cashmere open cardi. Its cashmere, there is really nothing more to say! This can be dressed down like the model or add a wide belt, pencil skirt,  chunky jewelry and thigh high boots, classic meets modern. Priced higher than most but cashmere wears again and again and again. Purchase at Ann Taylor

             Capes are all the rage this season, I love them because they so “Breakfast @ Tiffany’s”! I love vintage! Another Ann Taylor fave and certainly a purchase for the fall!

 Check out how VS puts a spin on the cape! Its more dramatic but in a rugged way so that it can be worn casually but still have the look of  elegance at the same time…LOVE IT!

Last but certainly not least, Bananna Republic has a new Mad Men Collection and it is fierce! Vintage at its best and this suit is no exception. Perfect for church, or semi-formal events. I wish I had a reason to be this chic every day. Pearl earrings with a statement clutch and platforms..fabulous!

There you have it! Just a few purchases I plan to make to start the fall off in a fresh but fashionable way! For those moms who HATE dragging their kids or significant others to the mall online shopping is your friend! Just be sure to check out the sizing charts so you can save those additional shipping charges associated with returns.

Make it a great Fashion day!

Needless to say last night was an all too familiar routine while dropping the baby off at the childcare center.  She along with her sibilings were handed over  to the wonderful staff who care for them so graciously.  Of course the baby did not want to go and begin to wail like it was her last day on the earth.  That is when it all started, the proverbial mom guilt.  I say mom but dads may have it too, its just seems to be something my husband lacks. That is my assumption anyway I could be wrong. 

 Can someone tell me how I am supposed to channel my inner Beyonce when my mind is running rampant with the thoughts of my precious sweet baby crying like there is no tomorrow. It was difficult but I did it, I did it for me.

Mom guilt generally happens the moment you attempt to do ANYTHING for yourself.  I mean I have taken showers with the baby sittng outside within eye and ear shot still crying uncontrollably and felt bad about that.  Needless to say, I must shower, its right up there with Maslows hierarchy of needs…ok maybe not but its close.

 There is so much pressure in society with regard to being supermom, perfect, doing all things at all times, multi-tasking you get the drift. Everyone, everywhere talks about the woman who has it all and the pressure to be like said woman is confounding. There is  however no way you can do and be all things and be ridden with guilt. Self- condemnation can and will eat away at you like a incurable disease. It will harass you day and night with little solace. 

Yesterday, I made an executive decision. I will not from this day forward spend another day feeling guilty about doing things for myself.  I will shower AND purchase $200.00 shoes despite the fact that the so and so’s brothers friend just got the new star wars toy and I want one too. Nope, not giving in anymore to that contrite and at times shameful feeling about doing things for myself.  This life should be lived without regret right, so why am I spending my days and nights wondering if the extra thirty minutes I spent in the steam room will scar my little one for life.  Its preposterous (yes I said preposterous, because along with not feeling guilty I will also be channeling my inner brillance..ha)!

This post has been written to release every mother who is reading this of the guilt, the guilt of working, the guilt of spending time with your spouse, the guilt of spending time alone, the guilt of working on oneself, any guilt that is associated with spending time edfying oneself rather than edfying one’s child.  LET IT GO!!!  If there is not another mommy out there who feels this way and this post was simply written because I am slightly insane, then this just for me!  Thank you Tiffany, or you are so very welcome doll!

Make it a great MOMMY day…visit me on FB @www.facebook.com.tiffulcher or mom2momdfw.com

Writers block when you have a blog is a true struggle, it suggest in part that you lack inspiration and drive.  Writing is my creative being expressing itself regularly, any lack in this area bears some comparision to a slow death.  A bit dramatic….maybe, but the release of words on a page causes me to have a heartfelt liberation  that is simply inexplicable! I think I am rambling…but even ramblings are good, at least ramblings in a writers world. Ramblings become documents they become speeches, essays, articles, books, I think you get my drift.

I have for so many years attempted to do so many things, being a creative brain you always see color on every side of the rainbow. Writing has always been my one strength.  My very first published work was when I was in the 4th grade, even then I knew there was a connection for me. Being young and inexperienced I didn’t quite understand the relationship.  Why do I enjoy the company of a pen and notepad or a good book above other childhood experiences was beyond my comprehension.   How do you label an act that is based on intimacy but is not linked to sexuality. I’m rambling again, most pleased with the rambling though for this is the signal, sign, beacon, light, proof, clue, stamp of approval that all is not lost.

Most like me would agree that we are free in spirit, artistic, rebels born with a freedom and liberty that defies regulatory practices (ok maybe that is just me), writing has for years allowed me to be true to myself.  It personifies and bids audieu to my alligenance of freedom.  With all that I have ever known there has only been one true inspiration, one true practice that is acceptable without doubt, or guilt, or shame, or unworthiness…it is loving, compassionate, inspiring, and giving, every word, every line, every paragraph gives back to me over and over again. Each new read sparks something  original and reflective. It is the gift that keeps giving, same words, new meaning, new meaning, same words…ahhh I am rambling again, but this my friend is good!

Make it a great Mommy day!

1. I would allow my children to remain in pjs all day…we did this alot when it was 100+ here in TX

2. Eating ice cream for breakfast would be a must…hey live a little.

3. The baby would wear a diaper and nothing else…often…quite often.

4. I would find myself in a pool or some other body of water almost daily.

5. I would wash clothes a lot less often because… a. I would have a lot of damp clothing (see above) b. see numbers 1 and 3.

6. I would cook very little…salads, sandwhiches, and take out would rule…its 100+ in TX its way too hot to cook.

7. We would go to see every new kid movie that comes out on opening day..in 3D

8. I would wish that summer would end so that I could get a break from the kids.

Hope you enjoyed Momfessions, send me your confessions, don’t be shy you know you want to tell everyone you are the puuuuuuurrrfect mum! Hope you made it a great Mommy day.

I am always talking with my girlfriends about how to find time for your spouse when life is so hetic already.  It’s a difficult topic and one that is quite sensitive but one that absolutely has to be discussed!  It’s hard to find time for one another, I know that first hand.  My husband and I co-own a business, have three kids, work freelance projects, and serve in our church.   So yeah our life is chaotic, but in all of this we still manage to make time for each other at least one day of of the week.   How do we do it….well glad you asked!

• We drop the kids off at school and plan a date during the day- We schedule this at least one day out of the week. Because we both have flexible schedules this works for us, if your schedule is not so flexible try this once a month by taking a sick day at work.
• Let the kids be late to school, early morning loving is important!  Let the kids sleep in and write a brief note to the teacher, you’ll be so glad you did! While this certainly can’t be the norm once, twice, or three times during the school year won’t hurt!
• Hang out with your spouse even on a school night- don’t limit yourself to weekends- We go to concerts, movies, and dinner alone on school nights.  I make sure the kids are fed and homework is done before we leave and have a trustworthy sitter that makes sure the kids are in bed on time, it makes for a hot date night and when you get home the kids are already sleep which makes for an even hotter late night…oh la la!
• Take a vacation alone- We plan two vacations a year without our children, one is an anniversary and the other is whenever we choose.  We don’t make it a big deal either, a vacation is what you make it, it  could be staying at a local hotel for three days with nothing but room service or an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii….you decide!
• Enlist the help of friends and family- Call on friends and family members to help take care of your kids.  Switch off babysitting your friends kids and let them watch yours….even having an overnight at a friends house could be a great night for you and your spouse!
• Be creative- Don’t get stuck in the hum drum of dating while married…dinner and a movie, go to sporting events, have a picnic in the park, get mani’s and pedi’s together, go to a spa, watch movies at home with all the junk food you can muster or light some candles and take a long hot bath… have fun with it…the more fun you have on the date, the more fun you have at the afterparty!
• Forget the Rules- all is fair is love and war right….well let’s make love not war! Get rid of all the rules, which are really just excuses….open your mind to the possibilities and have fun with it! Lock the door if the kids are awake and turn up the music, call in and reschedule the meeting,and find a location outside of your bedroom…take it to another level and crank it up a notch!

Be excited about loving your spouse, bring the joy and fervor back!  If one week goes by without alone time, I start missing the man I feel in love with! I can’t wait until a day comes that I can have him all to myself, and if the day doesn’t come well, I steal some time a lunch hour…coffee break whatever I can get, its that important to me and our marriage is stronger than ever!  Yes ladies, men want  to love us body and soul….I think a little bit more BODY than soul…but hey I’m game…LOL!

Make it a GREAT DAY!