Layers: Cute Clothing for the Money Conscious
By metropolitanmama | May 11, 2008
I first heard about Layers Clothing on The Little Window Shoppe blog…and was absolutely intrigued by the cute styles AND the prices. It’s not every day I stumble upon a fashionable online site with items that range from $3-65 (yes, their MOST EXPENSIVE item is $65!).
What I like about Layers is that the items in their collection are modest, classy, contemporary, and a little bit country.
Check out these examples:
The Clearance section is golden and, if you hit the website at the right time, you can walk away with great items for $3-$5 a piece. That’s better than most chain discount stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) and the clothes are more unique.
I had the privilege of receiving the Hannah shirt ($23) and the Phoebe sweater ($24) - and am pleased with both. The quality doesn’t match Nordstrom by any means, but it is comparable to Old Navy, Kohl’s, Target, and other lower-priced clothing retailers. There’s me in the Hannah over there…
Now, go take a stroll over at Layers and let me know what you think.
WIN IT! One winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Layers Clothing. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, May 18 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, May 19. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
Topics: contests, fashion | No Comments »
Fashion & Style Advice - On a Blog and In a Box
By metropolitanmama | May 11, 2008
My favorite “strictly fashion” blog is the Wardrobe 911 Style Blog. Teresa Morisco, the blog’s author is a certified image consultant through the Association of Image Consultants International and holds a B.S. in International Marketing with a minor in Art History. She is also the founder and Chief Stylist of Wardrobe 911.
Here’s a bit more about her: “From appearance to business protocols to public speaking, Teresa knows what it takes to project your best self both socially and professionally. Before founding Wardrobe 911 in 2005, Teresa enjoyed over 15 successful years in fashion and brand marketing for companies such as Visa, Wells Fargo, Intuit, Levi Strauss and her own women’s clothing boutique.”
Needless to say, Teresa knows her stuff.
I appreciate her blog because her posts are short and include photos of complete outfits, including accessories and shoes. For example, you can ascertain how to travel stylishly with young kids or what kind of skirts look best with flats or what to wear at a child’s sporting event. Although I don’t always agree with every single recommendation she has on her site (for example, I think the Tsubo Rhea shoes she featured on a recent post are simply atrocious, but maybe that’s just me…), I do love her sense of style and her blog style. Wardrobe 911 is a fun place to stop in for fashion inspiration and advice. Best of all, YOU can ask Teresa a style question by sending an e-mail to askteresa@wardrobe911.com and she just might feature your question on her site.
Teresa recently came out with a new product called the Wardrobe 911 Recipe Box (”the cards that show you how to dress for your body type“) that I thought you might be interested in. Essentially, the recipe box is like an image consultant in a box. It’s like taking Teresa with you shopping (how cool would that be?). Well, maybe it’s not exactly like that, but the kit does contain “a mini Wardrobe Guide and 38 wardrobe recipe cards that show you how to dress and develop your perfect wardrobe for your perfect look.” You can take a quick quiz to determine your body type and then order the corresponding box (Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass, and Triangle).
I reviewed the Hourglass kit and was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. Each card features great photos (like what you see on the Wardrobe 911 blog) and gives recommendations for tops, pants, skirts & dresses, and accessories. Then, you’ll find outfit suggestions for everything from “running errands” to “hanging out at home” to “casual dinner.” Plus, there are blank cards where you can make a shopping list and outline your favorite outfits. There’s even a card that features “recipes for disaster” (apparently, hourglass types aren’t supposed to wear empire waist tops, skinny jeans, or boxy cropped jackets - phew! you won’t find any of those items in my closet!).
Teresa also offers personal style consultations and is available to speak at a variety of events. Wardrobe 911 is based in San Francisco, but Teresa can come to you or you can work together by phone through a virtual style consultation. If you’re looking for a great gift, you can also purchase a Wardrobe 911 gift certificate for a friend or your mom (great Mother’s Day idea, by the way…).
WIN IT! One winner will receive a Wardrobe 911 Recipe Box for her body type. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Saturday, May 17 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday, May 18. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
Topics: contests, fashion, website spotlight | 46 Comments »
3 Books to Read to Improve Your “Smarts”
By metropolitanmama | May 10, 2008
Since I usually feature books in the parenting genre here, I thought I’d “take a quick break” and offer a few books that don’t fall in that category. These are books that you can use to ignite conversation with co-workers, childless/single friends, or your spouse (when you want to talk about something other than when your baby went poop last…a fascinating topic to-be-sure, but not necessarily the only one you want to engage in…).
LOOKS: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined by Gordon L. Patzer (AMACOM, 2008)
Professor Gordon Patzer utilizes intellectual humor and original research to inform his audience about the “well-documented advantages bestowed upon the good-looking.” These advantages include better grades, success in romance, higher salaries, better job opportunities, and less stringent court sentences. The book truly does what the cover promises - it “uncovers the sometimes ugly truth about beauty and its profound effects on us all.” The book was fascinating to me on many levels. The premise wasn’t new to me, but many of the studies cited were and I found myself constantly looking up from the text to say: “Did you know…?” to my husband (which he didn’t mind because the content is pretty interesting).
On a more superficial level, Looks is one of those books that looks extraordinarily impressive if you happen to be traveling on the subway or waiting in a doctor’s office. I’m sure the cover alone has sparked many-a-conversation between strangers.
Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-How for Business and Career Success by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon (AMACOM, 2007)
Networking is an important skill - especially for moms, who often take breaks in their careers or float between jobs during the early years. Networking is critical because it “remains the primary technique that people use to find new jobs, change careers, or land on their feet after a layoff, merger, or reorganization.” Sending out resumes blindly doesn’t produce results, but networking does - and when I say “networking,” I DON’T mean handing out a lot of business cards, giving your “30-second commercial”, or engaging in silly small talk. Neither do the authors. They give solid advice about how to be authentic, how to give, and how to listen…all steps to making your contacts count. If you want to learn how to make a memorable entrance, how to deal when you forget someone’s name, how to follow-up with a potential client, and how to move conversation away from the weather, this is your book. Whether you sell Arbonne or are thinking about switching to a PT job or are looking to get back into the workforce after an extended time away, this book will give you some starting points. It’s not the most thrilling ride of your life (it doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat, I can tell you that right now. In fact, to be quite honest, I skimmed through the text, which I don’t often do). That said, I feel like the authors left me with some fantastic take-away points that will serve me well in the future.
Cocktail Party Cheat Sheets: Sound Like a Genius at any Social Gathering by Mental Floss (Mental Floss, 2006)
I was originally attracted to this book at Borders because of its quirky title/cover and it’s easy format. Divided into 44 sections of four pages each, the book features important people, places, and events throughout history that smart people know. You’ll find a brief synopsis about Alexander the Great, Beethoven, Buddha, Dead Sea Scrolls, The Hundred Years War, John Locke (no, not THAT John Locke…), The Qur’an, Voltaire, and more…so that you’ll be prepared to “sound like a genius in any social setting.” The tone of the book is slightly irreverent and a bit snobby - you might imagine that the authors are graduates from Brown University or are well-studied on many-a-subject (or, wait, maybe that’s just what they want us to think…). If you want to refresh yourself on important facts about history that have shaped our current culture in a non-serious and non-threatening way, this book might be the ticket because it is small and “chunked” into easy-to-read-in-between-other-duties chapters. I found that I read about 2 sections per night during bathtime sitting next to the bathtub, while my daughter was splish-splashing (don’t worry, I do my fair share of splashing with her, but she loves to stay in the water and she almost always points at the counter and says, “Book!” because she knows that I’ll read a page or two while she reads her bath books and pastes her alphabet letters on the bath wall happily). P.S. You can read a full review of the book at BlogCritics Magazine.
WIN IT! There will be three winners, one winner for each book. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post stating which book you would prefer to win (and why it appeals to you) prior to Saturday, May 17 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday, May 18. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
Topics: Uncategorized, book review, contests | 26 Comments »
Mother’s Day Brunch - Delivered to Your Door
By metropolitanmama | May 9, 2008
Ding-Dong!
That’s the door and wouldn’t it be nice if it wasn’t just another door-to-door salesman? What if it were a gourmet “Taste of Tuscany” brunch for two?
You can start out your meal with a carefully prepared appetizer: Kalamata & Artichoke Tarts and Feta & Sundried Tomato in Phyllo Pastry. After that, you can savor the main dish: Chicken Saltimboca With Peppercorn Cream Sauce or Baked Salmon Tuscan Style With Alfredo Sauce, served with Tuscan vegetables. Don’t forget dessert…two slices of decadent Amaretto Cheesecake!
To complete the experience, you’ll also receive two rich and smooth cheery caramel truffles, two individually wrapped tea bags, a floating candle, and a Mother’s Day poem.
Sound like the perfect gift for your mom or a mom friend who could use a little extra TLC this month? Stop in at GourmetStation to place your order right now and you’ll receive free shipping and complimentary gift wrap.
Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, an Anniversary, a Birthday, or a New Baby, keep GourmetStation in mind. They specialize in dinner gifts and food gifts delivered nationwide.
WIN IT! One winner will receive a “Taste of Tuscany” Brunch for Two from GourmetStation ($79.99). To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to ***Sunday, May 11*** at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, May 12. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
Topics: contests | 210 Comments »
Themed Weekend: Something for Mama
By metropolitanmama | May 9, 2008
In honor of Mother’s Day, this weekend is all about YOU. I’ll be highlighting and giving away things that are decidedly for you.
Motherhood is magnificent, but it is also a lot of work and it can be overwhelming. After piles of diapers, loads of laundry, evenings of homework helping, afternoons of make-believe and mud pies, nursing every two hours - sometimes it’s nice to just feel appreciated.
That’s what this weekend is about - appreciating YOU. Happy Mother’s Day!
(Photo by: uiruriamu)
Topics: themed weekends | 8 Comments »
Blogs I “Love to Pieces”
By metropolitanmama | May 8, 2008
Nell over at Casual Friday Everyday recently bestowed a very special honor on my blog - the “I Love Your Blog to Pieces” Award. I’m flattered by this acknowledgment - especially coming from such a great blogger (and an obviously wonderful person).
I’m pleased to pass on the award to a few women who write blogs that I love to pieces. There are SO many bloggers who deserve this, but I’m going to keep my list to 5 bloggers who have particularly inspired me lately:
* Susan and Janice at 5 Minutes for Mom
* Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing
* Jo-Lynne at Musings of A Housewife
* Darcie at Such the Spot
* Colleen at Classy Mommy
Nicole and Erica, I bet I will love your blogs to pieces too (when you start them, that is). Hint, Hint.
Topics: Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
Make Money From Home - Advice from a Weekend Entrepreneur
By metropolitanmama | May 8, 2008
Have you ever dreamed of working from home? Would you like to have more flexibility, more freedom, and more opportunities to cherish daytime moments with your kids…all while still earning income?
I am pleased to welcome Author Michelle Anton to Metropolitan Mama today to share her expertise about this very topic. Anton is a TV and radio producer, and is the co-author of “Weekend Entrepreneur: 101 Great Ways to Make Extra Cash.” Michelle is also a mother and has one daughter, two step-daughters, and one step-son.
ME: What are the top 10 “hottest” at-home businesses that aspiring entrepreneurs might want to consider as we move through 2008 and into ‘09?
ANTON: Finding a business isn’t as simple as listing the Top 10… like on the David Letterman Show. Although I know most people prefer to approach it that way, I don’t. I like to think of the various categories. Some people prefer selling a product, others a service. Still others prefer launching an online business. Some online businesses sell products, while others teach you how to do something and may sell audio and downloadable products for your convenience. There are online companies that are membership websites where people pay to have access to hard to find information…or you can start your own association.
The saying “Find your niche and get rich” is a good thing to take into consideration when you are thinking about starting a business. One of the most in-depth success stories in my Weekend Entrepreneur book profiles a woman who launched an online business selling wedding favors. She couldn’t find what she was looking for while she was planning her own wedding and now she has a million dollar business. Her secret to success was that she researched her idea and discovered that there is a market out there of soon-to-be brides who are hungry for unique wedding favors.
ME: What business ideas are an especially good “fit” for mothers of young children?
ANTON: In the long run, finding something you have a passion for is key (although you can choose to fall in love with your business even though it may not be something you feel passionate about). And that option is OK too. Moms are discovering that they enjoy their own business even if it isn’t their dream business more than they would treasure going to work and having to put their precious little one in daycare.
There is a great alternative that I recently wrote about on my blog for Entrepreneur.com. Needlestackjobs.com is a resource for flexible part-time and full-time staff jobs that allows people to work at home. You can visit their website or read the article I wrote.
As for starting your own business, the type of venture that would be right for a person depends on several variables including the age and number of children you have. If your child is an infant, you will have certain challenges and, with a toddler, you’ll be pretty busy and may have to wait until they are taking a nap or asleep at night to get any work done [NOTE FROM ME - That's the stage I'm in! Naptime/Bedtime = Working Time! Anyone else with me?]. Those factors will have an impact on which business would be the right fit for you, your spouse, and your child(ren).
Here’s an example…from time to time, I experiment and try different business ideas out. One that I really enjoyed was when I was a Professional Organizer for a month. I charged $75.00 an hour (there was a three hour minimum required). If I shopped for storage items, I charged half of my fee (so it was $37.50 an hour) and thirty five cents a mile for travel. I found clients by contacting businesses. Going to networking events (including the Chamber of Commerce) is another great way to find new clients. This was a huge success and, even though I don’t really like organizing, this was a lot of fun. If a mom organized 6 hours a week for four weeks each month, that would be $1,875 plus mileage. Not bad, eh? And all you need are business cards, which can easily be ordered online from VistaPrint. In fact, they usually have a special where you can get free business cards. My suggestion is to order your business cards from them and have something on the back, like a discount for first-time customers…and be sure to add an expiration date so that people know that this deal won’t last forever.
ME: What tips would you give to moms who want to start their own “weekend” business?
ANTON: If you are married, make sure you have the support of your husband. And when you make money, put a little aside for the family to celebrate. Or, keep a piggybank (a jar will do) that you put money in and remind your family of the great thing you have planned from the money you earn from your business. That way they can help you because they will benefit too.
Keep in mind that being a weekend entrepreneur just means that you are running your business in your spare time. It doesn’t have to be on the weekend. And make sure you have a trusted and reliable family member to help with childcare if this is an issue.
ME: What do you recommend in terms of resources (books, magazines, products) for new and aspiring business owners?
ANTON: Entrepreneur magazine is a great resource and my book is outstanding too because it has several great tips for getting on your local TV station if you’d like your business to get noticed by the media. Also, you’ll find info about everything from blogging to using Instant Messaging and coupons to generate new clients.
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You can also find Michelle on her personal blog and at weekend.entrepreneur.com.
Thanks so much for sharing your time and knowledge with us, Michelle!
WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of Weekend Entrepreneur: 101 Great Ways to Make Extra Cash by Michelle Anton and Jennifer Basye Sander. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Thursday, May 15 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Friday, May 16. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
Topics: contests, working mother | 133 Comments »