Building Confidence in Teens: 3 Tips for Parents

If you're a parent to a middle or high schooler, you know that there a million different things that your teens are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Students not only have to worry about school, part-time jobs, extracurriculars, and sports, but they also have to navigate dating, relationships, friendships, body image issues, puberty, and more. As puberty ensues, teens often feel uncomfortable in their own changing bodies. With more and more content on the internet and on social media to comb through along with real-life issues, teens can feel overwhelmed, awkward, embarrassed, and unrelatable when it comes to their own bodies and insecurities. Here are three tips to help you navigate building confidence and ensuring healthy living in your teenage children. Understanding the … [Read more...]

City Mouse by Stacey Lender

Summer is almost here.  Are you looking for a new book to devour by the pool, on the beach or by the lake?  No matter what your summer destination is or isn't this year Stacey Lender's debut novel, CITY MOUSE is a guilty pleasure read with depth and heart that is sure to spark conversation and is perfect for summer reading.  Why? City Mouse Offers Vulnerability, Wit & Laughs The hook is all in the question that every one of us has often asked ourselves.  Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence?  This is exactly what happens to the main character, Jessica, as she and her husband and two little kids find themselves getting squeezed out of their NYC space that they are renting.  Unable to find what they want or can afford in the city they realize they might … [Read more...]

Valentine’s Gift Guide

I love all the pink puffy heart parts of Valentine's Day. The red decor.  The candy.  The pop of color in an otherwise dull winter.  Long ago, when I was in high school I created my own valentines and gave them out to my friends to help brighten their day. Now, I just hope that I don't eat all the chocolate that comes into my house via the kids. BUT, I felt we needed to address the V-Day Gift Guide sitch. This gift guide isn't about you or is it? Gift giving is about what the gift receiver wants. Honestly, Valentine's Day for guys? It's kind of a joke. It's lame. They don't care about shaving sets or candy.  Another pair of heart-printed whatever?  Nope. So, file this under racy and check out my picks from 3Wishes.com, a lingerie site that caters to a wide variety of tastes and … [Read more...]

Holiday Style with Garnet Hill

Winter is settling in here in the DC Metro area and that means it is time for more holiday style.  This time courtesy of Garnet Hill and special group of ladies creating some gorgeous looks called- It's a fun collaboration with some incredibly stylish mamas who have loads of seriously fabulous holiday style ideas for you. Get ready for everything from holiday party looks to comfy chic holiday shopping outfits, we’ve got your holiday style covered. Take a look at Julie from Mom Fabulous and her take on 'Moms Do Holiday Style'. Now, let’s talk about how I worked with Garnet Hill on my own version of Moms Do Holiday Style. I created three looks based on two pieces from their Holiday Dressing collection. Look One This outfit combines both items the Cashmere Turtleneck … [Read more...]

Give Your Home a HomeSelfe

*Disclosure: TMC was compensated for this post.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Source: HomeSelfe Our house. It's a very fine house. I'm paraphrasing a song, but it is true. After many years of searching we found a house to make a home that works well for our family.  We want to keep it working well and efficiently too. That meant putting in a new cooling and heating system, make that TWO, into the home before we moved into it. And when we needed some experts who are committed to excellence and excel in delivering superior installations a good company like this air conditioning installation Sydney provided us a team of skilled technicians who are fully equipped to handle any air conditioning project. When it comes to Portland AC installation, the experts from Efficiency Heating … [Read more...]

The BFF Gift Guide & Giveaway

Yes indeed the holidays are here. The Christmas tree is up in our house, two actually, and I'm all out of ideas and budget for decorating the place. I'm not however out of gift guides or giveaways! Check out my latest finds with the bestie in mind.     BFF Gift Guide by victoriamason  1.ecoTools Four-Piece Beautiful Complextion Set/ecoTools Festive & Flawless Face Set 2.Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer Collection 3.Women's Joules Roxie Faux Fur Scarf 4. You've Got Mail Red Envelope Clutch 5. Kate Spade New York Small Square Glitter Stud Earrings 6. Cheeky Teacup 7. Love with Food Seed Funded Subscription Box 8. Brunch Shirt Bloodies for Breakfast Funny Yoga Shirt 9. Levtex 'Best Friend' Pillow 10. 'Like a Boss' Mug 11. TOCCA Holiday Candele da … [Read more...]

American Girl Doll Giveaway

Taking a little break from fashion, fitness and cars I bring you something that the little people in my house are passionate about right now.  American Girl dolls and all that the brand encompasses.  We are such a big #AG house with three girls under the age of 10.  Each time a new doll debuts it is a major full-on squealing deal. Phone calls are made to friends. Hours are logged online looking at each and ever accessory.  It's like me with my online shopping habit.  So, I'm super excited to announce I am giving away the newest American Girl doll, Maryellen Larkin. I love this message.  It goes so well with American Girl's new initiative #AGForAllGirls that asks girls to unite together and take a pledge that they will work together in all ways and support each other rather than … [Read more...]

Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway

It's that time again!  I've joined together with some fabulous bloggers to get you back to school shopping on your own this fall with a $125 Nordstrom Gift Card giveaway! That's right- just for you! And trust me, you want to know these ladies. They are always on top of all things fashion and offer a lot of outstanding advice every day of the week.   Victoria/Andrea/Irene/Audrey/Carly How Much: $125 Nordstrom Gift Card Enter to WIN! a Rafflecopter giveaway … [Read more...]

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

It's the summertime! For those of us who like to devour books by the day or week that can mean only one thing. SUMMER BEACH READS! If you are dying for a great read while you are vacationing or just taking a little weekend escape then I have a wonderful read for you. Summer Secrets: A Novel by Jane Green. Straight up, I read it as fast as I could last week before we left for the Fourth. In fact, H was packing up to leave and I was still lying on the bed trying to finish up the last few pages before we headed out.  It was worth it.  I couldn't put it down.  It was light enough to be enjoyable while sitting on my porch or by the pool but had depth and detail in the story to keep me rooting for the characters. A little more about it... A shocking family secret is revealed to … [Read more...]

Sephora Gift Card Giveaway

No, it's not Black Friday and you haven't even stuffed your turkey yet but we are kicking off the holiday season early with a few other blogger friends by giving away a $160 Sephora gift card to ONE lucky reader!! Maria/Victoria/Jennifer/Nicki/Lisa/Crystelle/Brooke a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner will be chosen at random on December 1, 2014.   … [Read more...]