**Stella & Dot Jewelry Deal** Today Only!

Good Morning Lovelies! Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good deal. When I learned that one of my own sponsors, Stella & Dot was on Good Morning America with a 70% off deal, I just had to share it with you all!

Stella & Dot's Corso Cuff & Corso Hoops are 70% off today only! Such a great deal for yourself or package them together as a great birthday gift, maybe do a some early Christmas shopping! I hurried over to their website and snagged the cuff bracelet for myself, it's a great go-to accessory for so many outfits.

To take advantage of this amazing deal, click {HERE} and then type "Corso" into the search box. It will pop up right away and there is no special promo code needed! They have a lot of other items listed for sale too, and their new fall line is available-Happy Shopping! :)

Have a Fabulous Friday! I'd love to know what you bought, leave a comment and let me know!

P.S. For anyone interested in gaining exposure and getting their blog noticed, I have 3 ad space spots left for the 75% off July deal for our small ad space using promo code: JULY75. Click {here} to get your 30-day spot today!

XO

Manners Monday: Sharing Photos of Others

The past couple of weeks, my Manners Monday posts have come about as the result of those who choose to communicate in a way that lacks manners and common courtesy via social media. You'll remember my last post was about Sharing Good News with Others and today's post on taking and sharing photos of others was inspired by a Facebook status I read of an acquaintance this morning.

I like to laugh and let's face it, people in general can do some pretty silly things and can dress in really unique ways sometimes. While I'll often pass by someone on the street and and think what they're wearing makes a really bold statement or visit a client who adores her newly painted neon orange office, it is not mine nor anyone else's job to judge others or point out what we feel is horrible taste. When I opened my Facebook page this morning, I saw a post that read, "....and we're not even at Walmart yet!" It was a photo of a woman (who was a complete stranger to my acquaintance) in a very unflattering outfit with gladiator sandals that had material that spanned the majority of her calf, a super tight romper and hair all teased out with a headband that had a massive flower attached. While I admit it was somewhat amusing and I know her intent was to spark some Monday morning humor and comments, this is the equivalent to gossiping, but in photo form. Sharing unflattering photos or information with others is not at all classy or ladylike.

There are many who feel that because they own a camera or smartphone and have taken it upon themselves to take a photo that they have a license to share it with others or post it, regardless of how the one being photographed might feel. If you want to take a photo of someone or something that belongs to that someone, such as their pet or their super cute baby, it is always best to ask permission first. If you wouldn't feel comfortable explaining why you want to take their photo, it probably means you should slip that camera back into your handbag and focus on something else.

Maybe you've spent the day with friends or family and many will eagerly be awaiting the photos from a fun-filled event on various sites such as Facebook or perhaps via Instagram. If you see a particularly unflattering photo of someone but you look amazing in it, don't post the photo as tempting as it may be. Crop everyone else out of the picture and post it with just yourself if you must, but do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Be respectful with photos and don't make people look ridiculous when you know that is not a good representation of them.

As always when you're sharing images via social media such as Facebook where you have the ability to tag others, don't do it unless you ask the other people if they would like to be tagged or until they ask you to tag them. More {HERE}on tagging and Facebook Etiquette. When it comes to minors and small children, make sure you have the parents' permission before posting, for safety reasons.

Also, be mindful that if you are meeting a newborn baby of a friend or family member for the first time (perhaps immediately after the delivery) that it is not a good idea to begin posting photos online. It is a precious and momentous occasion for the happy parents and they will want to announce to the world via photos their bundle of joy, don't beat them to the punch and steal their thunder, unless they've asked you to do so on their behalf for a particular reason.

Has anyone ever posted a photo of you that you were horrified to discover or without your permission? What are YOUR thoughts on photo sharing?

XO




*Photo Credit

The Importance of Apologizing

I think a great rule in life to live by is to be quick to apologize and slow to anger or hold a grudge. I posted this up on our Facebook Page also (we'd love it if you'd join in the conversation!). The more people I talk to the more I learn that this is a problem. Many choose to withhold an apology because their ego is too big and they feel they need to win and have to be "right". 


I grew up in a home where one of my parents always felt the need to be "right" while the other one was gracious enough to put up with it for a long time. It got to the point that the person in question would cite facts and when they were validated would say things like, "See! Wasn't I right?". Witnessing this over the years, I could see how this contributed in some way to the downfall of their marriage because there was a lack of humility in some areas. I'm so thankful that I was able to learn this at a young age and take a lesson away from it long after my parents divorced when I was twenty. Not only in my own marriage but in friendships, it's so important to know when to apologize even if you've been hurt or you know something isn't your fault, for the sake of the relationship. None of us are perfect, all of us need grace from time to time.


A while ago, I wrote a post called 'Do You Want to be Right or Reconciled?' and if you're struggling with a relationship that you're frustrated by, I encourage you to read it or pass it along to someone that you know might benefit. It's also a good read/refresher for wives, living with someone else 24/7 is not always easy and there are bound to be times where you feel that your way is the better way, but we must not lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day a partnership is a team, we need to work together. :)

Happy Friday! I wish you all a fabulous weekend with the ones you love!

XO

Manners Monday: Sharing Good News

If you follow The Classy Woman Facebook page then you know that I posted about a personal experience I had with a family member last week as it pertains to manners (or in this case the lack thereof). While I was vague in terms of the story itself, there was a good lesson behind it and many of you commented and enjoyed the post and some asked how to best respond to the person lacking in manners in this type of situation. So, I've decided to share it here on the blog too as today's Manners Monday post. :)

Some of you might be reading the title of this post and thinking, "Really, there are certain manners behind sharing good news with someone?" I believe there are because it is always about how we leave others feeling at the end of a conversation or exchange that shows whether or not we used good judgement and manners or left much to be desired.

Last week I was grocery shopping and while waiting in line happened to check my e-mail via my phone, I saw a Facebook e-mail message from a family member who had very exciting news to share. It was truly a surprise to read that she was expecting baby #2 and I was very happy for her, but it was the content and tone of her e-mail that left me feeling a bit hurt in the end instead of overjoyed.

You see, she had immediately dove into her good news and how the technician said the baby looks really healthy and how her first child will be such a a good sibling to the new baby and why and yada yada yada. At the end she threw in a quick "Hope you're doing well". Now, I admit I'm a pretty over-analytical person and I can tend to read into things more than I should sometimes  but this is also not the first time I've received an e-mail like this via Facebook from this person. The other sad detail is that we very rarely speak anymore and we only see each other about once per year in person when I fly back home to Toronto although we were inseparable as kids. While I've tried numerous times to reach out so that we could have some phone conversations and correspond via e-mail, she almost never replies. The only time I really receive a note from her is to hear about the new home they just purchased, their upcoming baby, etc. I can say after several years I do know where I stand with this person and while I will always be cordial and nice to her, I have stopped investing myself into that relationship as I see it for what it is.

When we make a phone call, face-to-face talk, e-mail or written correspondence and it is all about us we alienate others and it tells them that they (nor how they're doing or what they're going through and experiencing in life) don't really matter to us. I think we almost need to eliminate the phrase "I hope you're doing well" from our vocabulary. It takes very little effort to say this. When someone asks me, "So, how's your design business going this summer" or "How was your vacation?" it immediately makes me feel special and as though they truly care what is actually going on in my life. I'm sure you can all relate. Nobody that I know enjoys feeling ignored or as if someone completely glosses over the current topics in their life.


These types of conversations can also happen when someone happens to have really bad news as well such as the sudden passing of a loved one or the loss of a job, etc. In these situations if you're the one sharing the not-so-great news I think it is important to grieve your loss but also understand that others have challenges, loss and problems also. Most will let you grieve and experience what you are experiencing and I believe it's really important and healthy to do so. Good friends give grace to those they love in these times. However, if the conversations become a regular occurrence, every effort should be made to make it a conversation with the other person and not a weekly therapy session or means to vent on your end only.

Here is the key to more meaningful conversation:

Lead in with Questions- You can never go wrong in a conversation (whether verbal or written) when you lead with questions, in fact asking someone something about their life will draw them closer to you and you'll also learn more about them too. Sometimes we have really special news to share but the other person might as well, if you don't ask, you'll never know as some don't choose to highlight all of the news in their life. Always ask how the other person is doing first and also ask specific questions that pertain to the season of their life such as, "Are you having a good summer with the kids?", "How's your new job going?", "How are you enjoying being a mom?", "Did you do anything exciting during the weekend?" There are millions of questions you can ask someone that makes them feel like you actually care and that you're not going into the conversation with an agenda or just to brag.

What to do when someone drops their great news and completely ignores you:

Vanessa from Luxuria Jewellery asked me what I recommend doing when this type of behavior occurs as she too has experienced it many times herself. The best thing to do is this:

Be the Example- It's not easy and it's not always fun however nothing will truly be gained by sharing with someone (especially one you don't know overly well) that you feel they're self-centered or that everything is about them when you are not that close to them or this self-absorption has only happened one time. Be the model for the other person, perhaps they'll catch on. It's not our job to correct everyone's behavior when we feel it isn't suitable (unless they are your small children). If the person in question is very close in relationship and it's an ongoing trend, read the tip below....

You Cannot Correct What You Don't Confront- Please hear me when I say that I'm not suggesting we become confrontational with others, however in certain situations when we are dealing with a very close family member or friend I think it is appropriate to share our feelings. While being polite and ladylike often involves holding our tongue, sometimes doing so hinders a relationship with another and prevents it from blossoming the way it could when one person is feeling as though they are being taken for granted or feel hurt by the other person. I've been in this position before and it didn't feel great in the moment but it was really necessary and the friendship in question actually grew stronger as a result afterwards. Letting the other person know how their words/actions make you "feel" and not merely telling them what you "think" of their behavior, will help soften the impact and they may feel compelled to change their ways in order to become a more well-mannered person and better friend.

*Please note that I chose the above image as I felt her body language fit well with today's post topic. I'm in no way suggesting that women or a classy woman should attempt to be so thin!

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Some of your may have differing opinions from mine and that is completely okay. ;) How do you deal with people like this in your life?

XO




*Photo Credit

Summer in Pictures....

For most of us, the weekends are the best parts of summer (other than a vacation of course). They're a time to relax, unwind and enjoy the best of warm sunshine, the beach, outdoor activities, spend time with friends, delight in some sangria or your favorite chilled drink of choice and try a few new heat-busting recipes too.


I figured I'd put together a relaxed post since it's Friday and most of us our gearing up for the weekend. Here are some of my favorite images that mean summer to me. I hope you'll enjoy them too!

One of the best things about this season is dining outside! It's the perfect time to have a pool party, backyard BBQ or celebrate a holiday together with family and friends with a fun table cloth and bright, cheery flowers!

I love summer fashion, particularly because we can finally get away without layering and instead enjoy airy, flowing feminine dresses. :)

A hot summer day is not complete without a sweet & juicy slice of watermelon! Cube it, freeze it and make a wonderful watermelon slushy to stay cool during a heat wave.

Splashes of color are often not seen during winter and fall, the great part about summer is that we can explore with a variety of bold, bright color. Everything is so much more cheerful with color.

The easiest and most perfect salad with just a few simple ingredients. How's this for a creative presentation? For some perfect summer potluck recipes and a caprese salad recipe click {HERE}.

Why not add a splash of colors indoors by switching up the accessories in your home? What a cheerful way to live year round. If you're afraid of color, start smaller-new throw pillows and small tabletop accessories. Even a few cute vases with vibrant fresh flowers make so much of a difference in any home.

I love this image because it evokes feelings of fearlessness, fun and freedom. Summer is a time to explore, try something new and spend endless hours in the water {or at least by the water}.

We naturally eat more fruit during the summer months but why not cool off with healthy fruit-based treats? Fresh fruit popsicles, homemade frozen yogurt packed with berries or frozen grapes just to name a few.

Ahhh, the lazy days of summer. If I owned a hammock you can bet that I'd be in a shady, breezy spot relaxing with some iced tea and my favorite magazines each weekend. Do you own a hammock?

As important as it is to eat healthy, no summer would be complete for children or adults alike without a heaping waffle cone filled with your favorite flavor of ice cream. If you're going to treat yourself-splurge!

Want more inspiration via photos? Check out: Organizing Inspiration in Pictures, Beautiful Bathrooms in Pictures , Valentine's Day in Pictures and Dreamy Decor Photo Inspiration to get your fix!

***Also, for those looking to get some new readers for their blog, website, Etsy shop, FB page, etc., I have just 3 more small ad spaces available at the 75% off rate for July! It's just $5 for a whole 30 days to get your site noticed!! Use Code: JULY75 and click {HERE} to get yours!!***

This weekend I'll be doing some much-needed cleaning around the house, planting some new flowers in the existing containers on our porch since the petunias I planted in spring couldn't take the heat wave of the past couple months and tonight I'll be heading out with my hubby to one of our favorite local vegetarian cafes for dinner.

What are you up to this weekend?

XO






Photo Credits: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)

Manners Monday: Blog Commenting Etiquette

Good Morning Ladies! I don't know about you but my weekend just flew by! Today's Manners Monday post was inspired by something that I've been thinking about for a while which is blog commenting etiquette. Not just because I'm a blogger myself but because I've often seen comments left for other bloggers, anonymous or named and I just feel something needs to be said.

As you know, I've always allowed Anonymous comments on this blog. Sometimes you just want to leave a comment about a touchy subject or one that is of a very personal nature and not always attach your name to it. Maybe it's regarding a strained relationship, lack of finances, failing health, etc. Thankfully, I haven't received many mean anonymous comments with the exception of two which I had to take the liberty to delete because they were angry rants and unnecessary. This brings me to point number one....

1. Leaving Anonymous Comments- If a blogger has chosen to afford readers the ability to leave an anonymous comment, be respectful. It's shameful how I've seen some people hide behind the cloak of anonymity making it easy for them to be rude, mean, negative and just all around nasty to the blog owner or even in the form of a reply towards others who have commented before them. Many seem to feel these days that because they cannot be seen behind their computer screen that it is okay. Hurtful comments can really bring someone down long after the offhand remark is type into the comment box. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.

2. Leaving Public Profile Comments- Some people have no shame, profile picture and name attached or not, they feel entitled to voice their opinion at the cost of someones feelings. It's all about them making sure their thoughts on a subject are heard. Likewise, they feel the same way about replying to others who have commented before them. A classy woman does not harm other people with her words and make them feel uncomfortable in an effort to ensure her viewpoints are made known. Be mindful of the fact that bloggers choose to put a lot of their personality, their family, maybe their home, their experiences and sometimes their faith into their posts and if you do not agree, simply do not comment. There's no need to start a war online. I'm constantly amazed by the people that attack another blogger's post content. I always think to myself that if they don't like it, why don't they just move on to another site they'll enjoy more?

3. Making the Effort to Comment- Nobody knows the importance of comments after a thoughtfully-written post like another blogger does. You see, there are many times that one pores over just the right images to use, often re-sizing them and using editing tools to pretty them up on top of the time spent writing and editing one's thoughts and speaking from the heart on certain matters. It's somewhat demoralizing to spend sometimes hours preparing a post and feel as though nobody is listening. I realize many blog readers are not blog writers themselves and therefore may not understand this side of the blog but it's something to be mindful of. While bloggers don't begin a blog for the purpose of applause or comments, rather it is their passion, interests, hobbies that keep them writing, everyone appreciates the connection that comes from interacting with their readers.

These days I find a lot of people are very much consumers. They see images or a great piece online and quickly read through it, get what they need and move on. It's such a selfish attitude in my opinion. I'm certainly not perfect in the commenting department but I do try to leave a few comments per day on other blogs after reading posts and visiting others via Facebook and Twitter to keep the relationships going or to say hello when discovering a new page.

4. Shameless Self-Promotion- There's nothing worse than having someone visit your blog only to promote themselves and that is all. You know the type, they include a link to their blog as if clicking on their profile name wouldn't simply take you there. They sometimes include their latest giveaway even though they don't really have much of a relationship with you and it can feel like spam. Likewise, most bloggers have an e-mail address so if you need to share something that doesn't need to be shared with a crowd via comments, just send a direct e-mail.

5. Blog Comment Reciprocation- As blog writers who know the importance of valuable, helpful comments and sometimes re-assuring and uplifting someone else if they've really put themselves out there with a personal topic or a video they've produced, it's kind to give them a quick lift by leaving a little message. Even if the blogger who left you a comment only has 22 followers, they are no less important than those who follow you and have 2200 followers. It really is common courtesy to say thank you for the post, let them know you visited and read their post and what your thoughts were. The bloggers that I connect with the most are always the ones who make the effort because you know what? It tells me that I'M worth their effort. Isn't that what manners are really all about anyway? Letting others know that you value them and want to make them feel comfortable and that they matter.


What are your thoughts on blog commenting etiquette?

XO



*Photo Credit: (1)

June Sponsor Spotlight!

Happy Sunday to you all! I hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend! This past month we had some lovely sponsors that I would be remiss not to share with you. 

Since sponsors can purchase ad space any day of the month, you'll notice many are still running into the month of July while others were showing in my sidebar until the end of June. A few have some great discounts for you as well which you can find below! I wanted to personally thank each and every one of my ad space and giveaway sponsors for your support of my blog. You've all been so wonderful to work with!

Layla Grayce

Have you heard about Layla Grayce? I'm a huge fan of this online shop! If you aren't familiar with them they offer beautiful items for women, children, babies and the home. Everything from lighting and jewelry to cribs and monogrammed dishware. This shop is filled with everything girly and lovely. 

Shabby Apple

You all know Shabby Apple by now as they were the generous sponsor of our Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway last month. They have such a lovely collection of not only dresses but skirts, tops, swimwear, jewelry and they even have dresses for young girls and maternity wear too! They are currently running a site-wide sale offering 20% off everything! Use code: SUMMER20

Footzy Rolls

Meet Jenifer & Sarah above, the designers behind this fun product line. If you've ever worn a pair of shoes that hurt your feet and wished you had a backup pair that fold up into a handbag, wish no more. Footzy Rolls offer a huge selection of styles and colors of their foldable and rollable footwear. You can see many celebrities spotted in these and they've even been featured on Oprah's coveted O List! I just saw a preview of their august line up-it's pretty fabulous!

Zinc Door

The Zinc Door online home decor shop offers a variety of gorgeous furniture & accessory pieces to decorate any home. What I love most about their store is that while on trend, you won't see the same types of pieces all over the web. If you're looking for that one-of-a-kind looking mirror, writing desk or wall art, they aim to please! I have enjoyed including some of their pieces in my e-design mood boards while decorating rooms for my clients. Zinc Door is the sister store to Layla Grayce. I feel so honored to have both of their shops on board!

Stella & Dot

If you haven't stumbled upon Stella & Dot yet, you simply must pop by their online shop! They offer gorgeous and affordable jewelry pieces that you're going to love! Their pieces add tons of personality and the right pop of chic style to any outfit. Did you know that they offer 3 different starter kit options to launch your very own fashion business by becoming a Stylist? You'll get hundreds of dollars worth of gorgeous jewelry pieces for a fraction of the cost! You can run your own business from home-perfect for stay-at-home moms, fashionistas or those who want a great accessory collection!

The Proper Lady

Nina is the writer behind The Proper Lady blog, as the name implies she enjoys writing about how women can become more feminine, ladylike, elegant, charitable, educated and cultured. She offers regular newsletters delivered right to your inbox too! I love that Nina herself is an active charity sponsor for such organizations as Make-a-wish and American Cancer Society.

Blurb

My next sponsor has cute name-Blurb. They're an online shop which allows you to easily create your own custom professional-looking photo books. Think wedding albums, trip of a lifetime memories, baby's 1st years, a milestone birthday, coffee table books and more! You can literally make a book with all of your Facebook or Instagram photos too! Make one today and save 15% off now with code: BLURBBOOK15OFF

NYC, Style & A Little Cannoli

Rosemary is the author of the blog NYC, Style & a Little Cannoli. Growing up with regular visits to the big apple as a child, her blog features her favorite activities and adventures in New York City as a woman who now resides in Pennsylvania but visits often. She knows all the best restaurants, cafes, shops & activities to enjoy a day trip, vacation or even a lifetime in NYC. Her love of desserts and Italian background mean you're guaranteed to get a regular dose of sweet sugary eye candy. 

Once again a huge thank you to all of June's sponsors! Thank you to many of you who have already renewed your ad space for July and those who have purchased multi-month ad spots. I'm so glad to have you here! :)

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor of this blog and having your ad proudly displayed in our sidebar? The next 5 people who purchase our small ad space (150x150 size) will get it at 75% off using promo code JULY75! Click {here} for all of the details. It's just $5 and my way of saying Happy Summer!  :)

XO



*Photo credit: (1)

How to Dress Classy as a New Mom

Hello there! I hope you had a great holiday if you were celebrating with 4th of July festivities. Hubby and I just took it easy and caught up with some friends over dinner that we only see once per year. Now, I'm back  to work in full force. :) 


Two months ago Michelle of The Curtis Chronicles wrote to me and asked for some tips on how to dress classy with limited time as she is a new mom. I love that she asked this question because I know so many new moms feel the same way and a classy woman strives to present her best self with the time and resources afforded to her. Even if you are not a mom or well past the point of having little ones, these tips can also be applied to your life if you're always on the go and have little time to get ready each morning. With Michelle's permission, I'm sharing her question here so that you can all read it also. 

Karla,

I found your blog recently and absolutely love it! 

I have a question about putting yourself together in a time crunch.  I am a new mom to a beautiful 11 month old girl.  Before having a child, I always vowed to never "let myself go".  Fitness has not fallen by the wayside; however, I have often found myself in an outfit involving sweats day after day.  I never realized how much time for myself I lose by being a mother.  I love my daughter more than anything so I don't want to neglect her so I can "primp" but I also would like to feel more like a lady even on days when I don't go anywhere without spending a lot of time on it (because I don't have it).  This is very important to me because I am an example to her.  Do you have any tips on how to do this in the absolute minimum amount of time?  What are the most important aspects?

I look forward to hearing from you!

Michelle

Here is my response to her letter.....

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for writing in to me and I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying my blog! :)

First off, congratulations on becoming a new mom and for taking care of yourself fitness-wise. :) You are definitely not alone, many women feel the same way and it is definitely possible to look like a lady without spending tons of time each morning away from your baby girl. Here's what I would recommend:

1. Makeup-Unless you're going out to a party, dinner or event, wearing a few products to highlight your best features is all you need. It's different for everyone but I'd suggest using a bit of concealer to hide any evidence of lack of sleep and blemishes that bother you. Usually a little blush, lipgloss/lipstick and a pop of some mascara is enough to make a woman look and feel more polished and won't take long to do. Even though I'm sure you're beautiful without makeup, it really has a way of somehow making us women feel more put together and polished.

2. Hair-Since time is of the essence, you'll want to work with a hairstyle that is easy but works with your face shape . Maybe a sleek ponytail, wash & wear curls (if you have curly hair) or letting hair mostly air dry then taking 5 minutes for styling near the end with a blow dryer/curling iron etc. Another options if it's a look that works for you, is a hairband which have made a comeback for all ages. If you like to wash your hair the night before and your hair co-operates in the morning, that might be easiest in terms of time.

3. Clothing & Accessories-This is probably the easiest and fastest part of getting ready if you have some go-to outfits already selected. This way you can be your own stylist putting together comfortable, stylish yet practical outfits for heading about town or staying in with your little girl, which I go into more detail below. One great accessory for every new mom is a fashionable diaper bag that looks anything but-these designer diaper bags are oh-so-stylish yet functional! (I happened to come across them today while putting this post together as it is where I found the first first image with the red handbag.)

Go-To Outfits:

Spend a little bit of time (maybe while baby is sleeping) assessing your wardrobe and accessories-essentially finding out what you have to work with, considering multiple ways things can be worn. My personal favorite go-to is casual dresses while working from home. They're easy to wear without needing to co-ordinate with another item of clothing and I have a few basic go-to's for accessories like belts, earrings and bracelets that I like to pair with the dresses. Somehow dresses always look so pretty on women and instantly gets you dressed and makes you look pulled together, even if the rest of your day feels like it is not. ;) Husbands always seem to like dresses the best on women too. Another more practical option depending on what you're doing is jeans, skirts or shorts and a cute top.

This may sound silly, but it works. I began taking pictures of outfits with the accompanying accessories like shoes for when I travel to make things easy. When I'm on vacation, I like to look stylish yet be comfortable and while I have the time, I want getting dressed to be quick so I can explore wherever we are. These photos are kept on my digital camera that I bring along or iPhone with me to refer to. It's especially great for pairing the same pair of pants or skirt with other tops for multiple looks, important when wanting to maximize your wardrobe. This method also lets me see what I'm lacking in my wardrobe so I know exactly what I need to avoid impulse shopping. You can use  this same photo taking idea and either keep the items on your computer desktop in a folder, on your smart phone, camera etc. It will make getting dressed a breeze and you'll feel confident in what you're wearing because it wasn't just tossed together. I was watching an organizing show on HGTV with Sabrina Soto several weeks ago and was interested to see that she actually uses the same method in her walk-in closet, she has the photos pinned to a bulletin board. Also, when you have a few moments of downtime, I've learned it worth it to take 15 minutes while watching TV to iron a few outfits so you never have to do it the day you want to wear it.

While I know that you want to spend as much time with your daughter as possible, I think it will be a great example to her as she grows up not only to see you dress like a lady as you mentioned, but also to see that you value yourself enough to take some special time for YOU. If you have large enough bathroom or bedroom where her playpen could sit, she could still be close to you while you get ready. :)

I hope these tips are helpful to you! Having go-to outfits is the key, it will be one less thing you'll have to think about every day and it requires minimal prep-time. 

Now, to all of you mamas out there, what are YOUR best tips and tricks for Michelle to get ready quickly while tending to her little one? After all, you are the experts! :)

XO

*photo credits: (1), (2), (3)