I've Moved!

HOLLA TO MY FAVORITE LADIES!

Takin' a mini break here from my blog-cation to announce to you something so exciting, something I've been working on the past few months and have been dying to share with you.

Drumroll, please.

ANNOUNCING: My brand-spankin' new site....

www.theaveragegirlsguide.com!

Not only do I absolutely lurrrrrvvveee the new site, I'm totally over-the-moon thrilled that I now have a navigation bar so you can way more easily access past posts and specific topics that interest you.

Now, a monster huge request.

Pretty, pretty, pretty please:

Update your RSS reader to http://feeds.feedburner.com/theaveragegirlsguide, re-follow me on Google Friend Connect (check the right side of the new site) and/or subscribe to my email (also on the right-hand side of the new column) so you can get your daily dose of TAGG!

I'm beyond grateful to those of you who have decided to follow me over the past nearly 11 months (eek, blogiversary is around the corner!) and I'd be so appreciative if you'd follow me there.

Plus, I'm going to have a few pretty awesome giveaways on the near horizon exclusive to followers.

PS: head to the new site to tell me how you like it!!!

Laundry Survival

I can't be the only person who feels like laundry sometimes takes over their lives right, right?

It can be all consuming. I thought it was intense pre-baby girl, but boy I had no idea.

There's just so much.

And, it doesn't help that we have a two-story house with the W&D on ground one and all the bedrooms on the second. Not convenient for a procrastinator/lazy laundry gal like myself.



So when I get down to it, I want to be sure I'm doing it correctly... and as efficiently as possible..

I always use All Free & Clear detergent so there's no perfumes, and it's safe for those with sensitive skin and allergies. I've been using it since day one with baby girl and she's also a fan.

{Moms: no need to spend the big bucks on Dreft if you ask me; so similar, half the price.}

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LAUNDRY TIME

{pre-treating and washing}

- Keep a stain remover (I love Shout) near your laundry basket. This way you can pre-treat right away and most are fine to leave on clothes at least 5-7 days before washing.

(want to really get it into the fibers with the stain remover? Use an old toothbrush!)
- For bright loads, I've toss in a Shout Color Catcher sheet to prevent color transfer. I've only used it a handful of times but so far, I'm very impressed. HATE when that happens to something I love.

- Use cold-water wash for most items, just no need for hot water.

- Do not overuse detergent; the power-packed ones are specifically designed to use minimal amounts.

- I know it's tempting to stuff clothes in the washer for one less wash, but doing so doesn't effectively clean them. Boo.

- Don't leave clothes in the washer too long; they'll get that icky mildew smell (truth: I'm guilty!).
Re-wash  if this happens.

{drying}

- I'm a huge fan fan of drying on the "low heat" cycle; significantly cuts down on shrinking clothes and unnecessary wear and tear.

- Untangle clothes when moving them from the washer to the dryer.

- Don't use more than one dryer sheet per load; most are even fine if you break them in half!

- Don't keep turning it on to keep the wrinkles out of clothes. Wait until you're ready to fold.

- I now leave a chair by the dryer and fold as the clothes come out; amazingly helpful.

- And, I mentioned this on Facebook: get Downy Wrinkle Releaser to get rid of any wrinkles that you didn't realize you had. I leave it near my closet for convenient access.

photos: via real simple

{additional tips, tricks & resources}

How to clean the top 5 kiddie disasters

Taking care of our delicates (you know what I'm talking about)

The when-to-wash-it handbook

Yellow... Not So Mellow

My nails are yellow.

And, not because I have jaundice, but because I actually painted them like this.

Really. I thought I'd be all fashionable and cool, but I learned a valuable lesson:

all looks are not for all people.

This one is for me! Haha.

color: mellow yellow /
ignore the awful at-home mani.

It looks way cuter and less jarring yellow close up, I think, than it does looking at it here.
"School bus" yellow, my bro said.  I don't think that was a compliment, right?

I was hoping for a chic Chanel Mimosa look-alike after seeing Jennifer from The Looks for Less show off similar colors in a recent Manicure Monday.  While I was still on the fence, I yearned for the bright color after a tweet exchange with Dianna from The Budget Babe I was convinced this was for me.

Negative.

Do not despair however. I totally think yellow nails could work on some. Particularly if you are darker skinned than I (doesn't take much; ha). If nail polish isn't for you,

check out these sunshine-soaked accessories to get you in the mood...

Anything you're totally loving??

o'neill crystal cove in dandelion, $27.20 (reg. $34)

Wear with anything! Love the pop of color; these are thisclose to the same look as a million pricier options.

dooney & burke large slim wristlet, $58.75 (reg. $75)

Use this wristlet as a handy pouch to store make-up, coupons, anything during the day and pull it out for "emergency" happy hour situations. comes in five colors.

much love illy, large yellow rose ring, $11.50

Talk about a steal on a statement maker! She also has adorable yellow rose earrings for just $6ish!

Bonus: the gal who makes these is aweosme.

old navy, tie-dyed infinity scarf, $14.94

Don't be shy about pairing this with a pattern. If you're not there yet, opt for a solid color.... maybe in a contrasting color (purple, blue, etc) to add depth to your look.

What do you think about the color yellow?
Any favorite yellow items in your closet?

No Holding Me Back

As I'm totally crazy with life right now,

I reminded of this awesome quote I saw posted on Curly in the City's blog.

Today I am so grateful for all of the wonderful successes this year has afforded me and am so freaking glad
I did not WASTE ONE MORE SECOND toward creating the vision I see for myself.

Anything you've been thinking of doing lately? Need the push to get started?

Gift Idea: Opt for an Experience

If one of the Father's Day gift ideas I suggested last week wasn't for you, I understand.
(though umm, how is a leather beer leg holster not the coolest in the universe?! haha).

Instead of giving an object this Father's Day or for an upcoming birthday of someone special, what about giving them the best gift of all: an experience!

Here's some "entry-level" (still awesome) experience-type gifts:
1. dinner at an awesome place you would normally never hit up, be it far or pricey (or both)
2. visit to a theme park or similar
3. tix to a concert or sports game (and if you go, enjoy it.. even if you're really do not!)
3. mini weekend vacay, or an overnight staycation near your place

Want to kick it up a notch?
There's a million things you can do depending on the person's passion/hobbies... since we love anything food related, wanted to share with you two things I've done. Hope it generates some ideas for you!

To celebrate my husband's major accomplishment of earning his JD and MBA (yay!),
I set up an experience gift we still talk about years later.
There was a sushi restaurant with a chef named Hook near the hubs law school that we constantly frequented. We loved it there. Casual, no frills, fresh sushi.

So, what did I get my man for his big day?
A private lesson for two with our favorite sushi chef, the Hook-ster!
We made all this!

This was the one -- and only -- time in our lives that we had so much sushi that we had to call friends to come over to help us eat it! Note: we do not share sushi. Better not to ask. :)

It was one of the coolest experiences EVER and for less than $200, if I recall correctly.
TIP: just because someone doesn't advertise
for their services in a new way, doesn't mean they're not available. ASK!
Hook didn't do sushi lessons so I approached him about doing so and then negotiated the price. It was so easy for him to do the private lesson for a few hours mid-afternoon while the restaurant was closed.
To save costs, consider getting a group together for a semi-private lesson.


Another experience?
For one of A's birthday's, I coordinated for a local chef to teach us how to cook an Asian-inspired
meal in our home. Amazing!
Wanted someone to teach us with our appliances, pots and pans, etc., so we could replicate it  later on.

Sidebar lesson learned:
it's much easier/more fun to cook when you have a chef to prep everything (a la Food Network!)...
and clean up when you're done.

Semi-embarrassed by this photo for my home: we had just moved into this place. It was all passed-down furniture. Nothing is the same.
OK, lie: the walls are still blue.  Focus on our yum food and happy faces.

Tip: ask a local reporter (in this instance, I reached out to the then-Palm Beach Post food editor,
Jan Norris - who ps: now has an awesome food blog that's such a great resource)
for recommendations for local chefs who could do this for me.

Reporters are often your most-in-the-know locals. Jan was so helpful, giving me insight about this 'freelance' chef who came to our home for a few hours, taught us and left us with recipes and a sense that we could do this on our own. To this day, we delight in his sunamono salad (cucumber salad)
- will have to post that soon!
We planned to have him back for a BBQ cooking night with friends, however he unfortunately moved to California. How rude of him when we were so stoked about our BBQ party! hah.


Well, that's all I have for you today. And, wheh... I'm tired. It took me a crazy long time to find these photos. Thank you dotphoto albums that I created a gazillion years ago!
Happy Wednesday, my smartie gorgeous gals.

A Calendar Worth Hanging in June

Yes, it's June so you probably already have a 2011 calendar

but if you're looking for something pretty and functional for your wall space,

I'm totally smitten with this adorable calendar that is letterpress

printed with the prettiest little pictures for each month.

Cool, multi-purpose feature:
At the end each month, tear off the bottom to use as a postcard! Genius.

Plus, since it's June you can score this for half price, just $15 from the

oh-so-delightful stationary store, Linda & Harriet.

(Thanks to Grace of Stripes & Sequins for mentioning the shop's pretty note pads

that got me browsing around their site. The anchor note pad would look oh so pretty on my desk!)

Two Oprah Moments I Can't Get Outta My Head

Yes, I'm on Oprah fan.

(please, please, please... please keep reading even if you're not).

Whether or not you would watch her show daily, she's a total inspiration.

During her recent three-part finale (!),
I almost lost it (ok, tears were in def. in effect) when
Kristin Chenoweth sang "For Good" from the musical, Wicked,"

as hundreds of graduates from Morehouse College who received an Oprah scholarship fled the stage holding lights in Oprah's honor. It was incredible and awe-inspiring.

If you haven't seen or heard it, watch it here.

Another amazing Oprah moment during the final weeks?

During her "besties" ep with Gayle, her best friend for more than 25 years.

We should all be so lucky to have one friendship in our lives like this. They're really lucky.
While I have close friends, I can't say I've yet to be this lucky to have a friend for that long that I'm still as close with on a daily basis. Life moves you around, ya know?

My favorite part of the show was when Gayle responded to how people ask her if she's jealous of her bff, Op's. Her response?

“I feel like I’m
standing in her light,

I never feel like I’m
standing in her shadows."

(via)

Think about that! I have been obsessing over this the past week because it's such a powerful reminder to always cheer on our successful friends and think about how you can rise even higher,

not think of jealously during your bestie's best moments.

I LOVE IT. Like want to scream it from the roof tops, LOVE IT.

Hallelujah: I Can See My Necklaces Again

My necklaces were taking over! Or, that's at least how it felt.

After more than 30 years, a gal collects some jewelry, right?

While I can't say I'm loaded up with designer baubles, or stunning real diamonds and pearls, I do have plenty of costume jewelry that was getting lost in the woodwork because I didn't have a home for it.

Well, I suppose I did but it's a drawer that had so much I couldn't see what was going on.

Do you have that, where your jewelry is kind of all smooshed together somewhere instead of being displayed for easy perusing and enjoyment each day?

As you know by evidence of this blog, I'm not a DIY kind-of-gal. If you're looking to that, I direct you to sites like I Spy DIY, She's {kinda} Crafty, ...Love Maegan and Stripes & Sequins, for example. There's gazillions of fab ones out there, of women who post DIYs for jewelry, home decor, clothes, you name it! This girl's just not one of them. DIY challenged, you could say.

Solution

Check me out: I took some pretty brushed metal hooks by Command and ta-da,

I can see my necklaces again! My more 'delicate' necklaces are still safely stored but how great is this for some of my bigger necklaces that take up valuable real estate in my jewelry drawer...

(offering you an extra glimpse of my bathroom through my medicine cabinet! Note: Mitchum for Women deodorant,

daughter's Dr. Seuss book, a MAC blush brush and lots more randomness)

These adhesive wonders have been around for ages in white, but now Command is making them extra stylish so it looks like you went through a lot of effort to do this, when in fact you just stuck this thing to the wall and bada-bing, bada-boom! LOVE. Plus, it doesn't leave a mark or ruin your wallpaper when you opt to remove. Whoever created these deserves a bonus!

I bought mine at Target, though there's tons of options on Amazon in all different sizes and colors.

There's white, brushed metal, an oil rubbed finish like the pic below, and more. Just be aware of sizing since they do come in a variety of sizes as well finishes.

(PS: I know this is probably not really DIY but I have to confess that I am VERY excited by my little project and finding an under $10 solution. Maybe I'll get motivated to do something a little more flashy next time! Just don't hold your breathe waiting; took me this long to get here, lol).

Giveaway: Sephora Gift Card!

You gals amaze, inspire, educate and make me smile each day.

Really, I can't imagine my life without this blog and the wonderful women I've met.
It's been a transformative experience beyond words that little make me tear up a bit. (nerd, I know!)

To thank YOU, I'm giving away a $30 gift card to Sephora to one lucky reader, good for any wonderful item you'd like at one of the best stores ever! Woohooo!

Why Sephora?
Compelled because today I noticed that a few of my go-to make-up products are running low. Boo. Hate that because it gets pricey to buy all at once. Those $20-something items add up. Thinking that I'd love some extra flow to spend at Sephora, I'm assuming you would as well! Right? 

If  I had it to spend, here's my current make-up bag needs...

Nars blush, Orgasm, $27

Best blush on earth. Period. Try it if you haven't.

Benefit concealer, Boi-ing, $18

Love this concealer. Use it under my eyes and other spots that need it. Doesn't cake!

Smashbox photo finish primer, $17 (travel size)

I'm super curious to try primer. Love that this hugely popular one has a travel size so I can test before committing the bucks! (also eager to try Smashbox eye primer ($17), rec's by beauty guru, Erika, from the make-up/fashion blog, Girly Things by *e).

TO ENTER to win $30 to Sephora:

Required (1 entry):

1. Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (on the right-hand column) and leave a comment below sharing one of your go-to beauty products, whether it's available at Sephora, Target or anywhere in between.

Additional entries (1 entry each; leave a seperate comment for each)

1. "Like" my blog on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know.

2. Follow me on Twitter (@avggirlsguide) and leave a comment here letting me know.

3. Tweet about this contest.

Details: Contest ends Wednesday, May 18 at midnight. Available to anyone, anywhere
(thank you e-gift cards!)!

Thanks again everyone for being so wonderful. Make it a great day!



Be Happy. It's Friday!

If there's one thing I've learned, it's do what makes YOU happy.

Everyone else does.

Sounds silly (or even rude) but I've learned I'm a little too nice and therefore get my feelings hurt because I try so hard to accommodate others because typically they're doing what I should be doing...

making themselves happy! And, I've seen other women fall "victim" to this, too.

So lesson learned (that's taken me 30 years and I'm still working on it!):

Making YOU happy should always be number one priority. Always.

And the people around you should appreciate it.

So, my friend, happy Friday to YOU!

A Worthy Case for my new Baby

Pregnant? Nah, not me... no baby right now, unless you consider my brand-spanking new iPad!

This baby is awe-some! My gorgeous white iPad 2 finally arrived in the mail on Friday and since then I've been loving it up. Well, actually, that's not entirely the truth. I think the hubs has played with it more than me because I was away over the weekend but that's about to change. lol.

I'm ready to add some apps, pictures, my email and get this party started!

Also critical: finding a case worthy enough for my brand-new babe. I already purchased a lime green screen cover from Apple that doubles as a stand, but this gal is crazy clumsy. Truth. I've broken my iPhone cover once -- just slipped out of my hand while walking, haha (thank goodness Apple replaced for zero dinero!). So think I need a sturdy case that fully encases my cutie. Oh, and did I mention it needs to look HOT?

What do you think about these lovely covers? Love that all double as stands,

and have plenty of cool features for my needs.

Give me your thoughts, or tell me where else I should be looking!

Michael by Michael Kors, $129.00

BookBook case by TwelveSouth, $69.99

(looks like an old book when closed; featured on Oprah's favorite things!)

Folio cover by Sena, $99.99

 Mumbai case by Stephanie Johnson, $69.00

Venture iPad Case by Case-Mate (Nordstrom), $88.00

Word! ---- Art

Hi! Alyson here... Head to Statements in Fashion to see moi profiled by awesome fashionista blogger, Collette, for Twitter Tuesday. So honored and excited! And, be sure to stay wonder around her blog; it's a personal favorite!
--------------------------------
Truth: I'm totally interior design challenged.

I see photos of spaces I love, yet mine doesn't turn out like that. I love my home, yet we have some major improvements that need to be made (hello, new carpet). And, we need cool stuff on the walls.

The walls are just crazy bare... and we've lived here four years!
Remedy:

WORD ART!

I'm obsessed. I first discovered some awesome artwork solely comprised of words in cool typography from Made by Girl's Jen Ramos while watching the Nate Berkus show.
I definitely could buy every one of her prints (oh, and she has an awesome blog, too). 
Since having a million words all over might be excessive, I'm currently narrowing down my finds from her site and others. Right now the major focus is my office and our bedroom so I'm all about love and inspiring creativity and productivity!

The bold colors, creative messages, modern feel and affordable prices have me smitten.

Here's a few that I'm totally loving. Do you like word art?
Check out etsy for more words that you can imagine.

 Love, Made by Girl, $25 (photo credit: Jen Ramos)

 Good Hair Days, Yellow Heart Art, $18.50

Keep Calm & Carry On, Keep Calm Shop, $18.50

 Hello, The Ink Society, $14.95

Circle Word Puzzle, My Sweet Prints, $25.00
(how cool if you made this for a kid's room with their name in it??)

 

Love, UUPP, $18.00

And, a personal favorite....

I Love You Blogs & Coffee, Made by Girl, $25.00

Let's Get Bathing Suit Ready

This title of this post initially said getting "bikini ready" but then I looked down at my belly and said, let's go just with a bathing suit, any bathing suit at all! I've embraced my bod (more on weight in an upcoming post), but definitely would like to be more fit before baring most of it this summer. 

Here's two suits that could totally work. I'm typically not a black suit kind-of-gal, but if you are, opt for an interesting dimension, like this one shoulder look by Gap. More on suits coming soon, too...

Hobie swimsuit

 Gap swimsuit

Since I still have at least a few weeks before I'm putting on lycra like this,

I need to get this bod in shape...so....

The good ol' gym called the other day, a random solicitation to get the hubs and I back after a gazillion years. I'm embarrassed to tell you how little I've exercised in say, two years. Between having a baby and being in a hospital for a month (pretty good excuse if you ask me!), I've totally slacked. Bad move, though. Long story short, the gym was victorious --- after they fell victim to my mad negotiation skills, of course! haha. TAGG tip: do not, I repeat do not, be afraid to nicely ask for a better price for your gym membership or anything else. No chance of saving bucks if you don't ask.

Not a gym gal? Whether you don't have the funds, or the time or motivation to head to a gym (the hardest part for me), try a video! I had resounded success from a 20-minute pilates video years ago and now, I've been hearing non-stop about "shredding" thanks to the 30 Day Shred by fitness coach Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame.

The twitter-sphere has been buzzing, tweeting and going crazy for this. Follow bonbonrosegirls, fashionmaven, taylormthomas, aplacetoshare, birdgirlc and smltwnramblings and use #shredcrew to stay motivated. Or, just keep looking at Jillian's abs. I want those.

Love that it's just $7.99 on Amazon! Talk about the cheapest work-out ever and not a major commitment if you want to buy a few videos to mix it up. One yoga class is $15-$20 (which is absurd to me, to be honest). Imagine that 30 days from now you can be feeling infinitely better about yourself. That's so soon!

I leave you with a few words of very important wisdom.....

There is no reason why you should ever insult

or feel bad about the body you have,

regardless where it's at this moment.

It's all yours baby. Own it and love it!

Beauty VIP: Rid Yourself of the Dark Circles

Happy Monday, ladies! I don't know about you but I was feeling especially tired this a.m. It doesn't help that I have naturally dark-ish circles so a tired morning is not a pretty morning for this gal! Fortunately, I have a few key make-up products to add some light to the eyes (and of course that skinny vanilla latte for that extra caffeine dose doesn't hurt either!).

One dark-circle-diminishing fave? Benefit's Lemon-Aid.

This stuff has become a g-dsend! It's nothing super new, but one more gals need to know about. It's a color-correcting eyelid primer that totally hides darkness, redness, you name it. It looks super yellow in the container, which is a perfect color to neutralize your eyes natural shades. Benefit really has some of the best products... Benetint and Bo-ing concealer are other staples in my make-up bag.

To apply: since the biggest complaint is that it can be thick (which I experienced at first), dab the littlest amount on your finger and then dab (don't rub) it in. Really, too much and you'll think it's too yellow or it can show it up in your crease line. Once on, sweep over some loose powder to set, and voila: a perfect, perky eyelid!

To buy: It's about half the price on Amazon compared to Sephora, so review there and then shop on Amazon!

A Gal Must: Good Reading!

For 2011, I'm determined to get in some more good entertaining, heart-wrenching, dramatic and engaging reading. For a million reasons (err, excuses), I haven't dug into enough books and feeling really behind the curve. As a creative gal who loves words (a little nerdy? maybe),

I really need to put down the People StyleWatch and pick up one of this year's best sellers, or a little-known-find that should be on that darn list.

Here's a few books on my hit list...

{Amazon for the best prices!}

What's your current favorite?

I'm game for anything from the serious to the light-hearted (I have read most of the Jane Green rom/com books). There's so many great options out there right now and I'm looking forward to cuddle up on the couch, wrapped in my fleece blanket with a good book in hand (sorry folks, no Kindle for me... at least yet).

Happy reading... and share your must reads!


 

Selling NY is Selling FL... and We're Invited!

Ahhhh, the glorious world of reality shows centered around snooping into (errr, checking out) someone else's home and knowing all the dirty details. Woohoo!

I absolutely love getting a glimpse inside of someone's home, seeing their style and knowing what the home is worth. Call it a bit of real estate obsessing, if you will... because that's what I'm doing.

One of our faves is HGTV's Selling New York, on every Thursday night. It takes you through the seemingly fabulous careers of three Manhattan brokerage houses as they help clients find the perfect space, err multi-million dollar space.

Well tonight, the lovely ladies from Gumley Haft Kleier (my fave!) have an open house cocktail reception just south of us in Boca Raton, Fla. for a 7,000-sq.-ft, high-rise condo overlooking the water and eek!... we're invited!! Truth be told, my husband is invited and I'm his "plus 1," but hell, I'll take it!

The lovely ladies from Gumley Haft Kleier

I hope I don't act like a nerdy school girl over ummm, brokers. Not celebrities. Brokers. Geez, I can already feel my slight giddiness coming on. Bad news, girls, bad news! Because if I'm not nerdy enough, HGTV will be filming this for the show. [And, I still don't know what I'm going to wear!]

There's other shows just like this, which the hubs and I equally adore. Bravo's obvious competitor, Million Dollar Listing shows the life of rich, young brokers, Josh, Madison and another Josh (though minus the crazy hair flicking Chad who made the Beiber's hair look like a buzz cut in past seasons), who are making kajillions selling palatial estates and lavish mountain-top homes to the equally rich and fabulous.
Mmm, I could eat it up!

Are you into these shows??

What other home shows tickle your fancy?