Mini New Year's Resolutions

My husband did the unthinkable the other day and asked if I have any resolutions for the new year.  This, of course, sent me into a shame spiral of epic proportions that I'm only just now recovering from.   I, like so many of us, have made so many resolutions with the best intentions.  And 95% of those resolutions have come to nada, zip, zilch.  Except for last year when I resolved to not make any resolutions and just live my best life.  Which turned out better than expected but not great.  Now I'm going to ask the thing that no one wants to really answer.  Are we prepared to put the work in to follow through on our resolutions?

Chri$tma$ $pirit

I'm going to make a shocking confession right now.  I don't know how to Christmas.  I actually just discovered this on this very night.  At 31 years old, I have no idea how to truly deck the halls with merry measure.  You see, I was raised in a non-Christmas celebrating household.  Christmas day was a day like any other during my childhood.  Obviously I knew what Christmas was...sort of.  From what I gathered from classmates and TV, Santa brought amazing presents, there was ham involved, a beautiful Christmas tree, and time with family you never see most of the year.  A beautiful snow-covered time to make memories and tear open presents with the all the gusto and grace of vikings storming a village.  Joyful.

Father's Day Gifts: I Have a Few Ideas

It's a Dude Cake, a cake for dudes.

I'm trying to think back and remember if I've ever gotten my dad a classic Father's Day gift, like a tie.  I don't think I have because my dad is a cool dad and an awesome grandpa.  And if I got my husband a tie? Well it had better be a one of a kind bow tie.  I've come up with some nifty Dad's Day gifts, and I'm willing to share.  Here's a few unique ideas for Father's Day gifts!

Teachers Gifts: I Have a Few Ideas

Right around April of every year, fear strikes my heart, panic keeps me up at night, as I toss and turn contemplating my options.  OK, maybe that's a little dramatic.  But when it comes to teachers gifts, I just feel like the very special people who choose to wrangle and enrich my minions lives really deserve something special.  As my kids leave and move on to another step, they keep memories of these teachers and all the great times they had in their classroom and cherish them always.  Plus I'll always cherish the roughly 2.5hrs I had to myself a few times a week.  So when it comes to teacher gifting, I think I've gotten kinda good at it and I have some tips that will hopefully help you avoid some anxiety.

The Next Big Thing: Joint Birthday Parties

Each boy got their own small cake and we had cupcakes for the guests.

I'm unabashedly a thrower of kid birthday extravaganzas.  I love to throw parties in general, though.  I love to bring people together at the perfect venue for an unforgettable good time.  I love going crazy with theme's, tirelessly handcrafting each and every detail, and giving the most unique birthday swag possible.  Sure, maybe it's because I'm crazy.  But realistically I do it to keep myself busy in the months and days leading to my little angels special day.  Because when that special day comes, my babies are one year older.  They are a little farther from being the tiny newborn that needed me so very much, and that much closer to the grown up that only calls me when they need something.  Not that I try to baby them(I honestly don't) and I do so look forward to when they move out on their own.  It's still hard so I bury myself in tasks.

My At Home Manicure Tips

I've been getting a lot of compliments on my nail polish since forever.  I've even been asked if I go get them done at the salon or if they're gel.  That's hilarious to me because I really do hope to be a fancy lady who goes to the nail shop and languidly picks out the perfect shade and sneaks in a little bit of gossip with the nail tech as I sip champagne while my kids are with some nanny or another learning Mandarin.  What I'm saying is that I rarely have the time and quite frankly the money to spend on getting my nails did every week.  On top of that, I change my mind a lot.  I may be feeling a neutral nude one day and then need a deep goth purple the next.  Over the years I've learned some tips and tricks to keep my at home manicure looking on point.

June 2015 Ipsy Bag

Well it's time for another Ipsy bag!  I have to admit that I never get tired of the hot pink bubble pack showing up in my mailbox.  It's girly to the extreme, just like me!  This months theme is "Swim Into Beauty."  You sure don't need to tell me twice, last week was hot, humid and sticky for sure.  Especially with our AC breaking...but lets check out what's in the bag!

May 2015 Ipsy Bag

Another month, another wonderful Ipsy bag!  This months theme is "Jetsetter."  I'm not exactly a jet setter, but I AM a stay at home mom that's never actually home, so I'll take it!  Let's get to it.

April 2015 Ipsy Bag

I'm very late with this bag, but I wanted to share it anyway!  My Ipsy 2015 bag has been one of my favorites so far.  Literally, the makeup bag.  It makes me feel like spring will be wonderful and screams summer is almost here.  Almost.  Let's check it out.

That Glamorous But Busy Mom

I'm sorry for my recent absence.  In life, as many of us mom's know, when it rains it pours.  I've been planning a joint birthday party for my son.  I've been gathering a group gift for my daughters preschool teachers.  And unfortunately we had a death in the family.   Celebrations of life's milestones come and go so quickly, don't they?  I once heard someone say that the problem with time is that we think we have it.  So as I get back into my routine of blogging and parenting, both my passions, I'm going to challenge myself and you(my 5-10 readers) to take some time, just a moment.  Enjoy your children in all their messy glory.  As you hear your mothers voice come out of your mouth today as you tell them to "stop riding the dog," or "jump on that bed one more time, and so help me..." know that no one can do what you do quite the way you do it.  And that's fabulous.

My 1st VIB Rouge Event at Sephora

VIB Rouge member here, and I've been long waiting(ok like 4 months) to get invited to a Rouge members only event.  I was starting to give up hope when a little invitation arrived in my mailbox.  Finally.  You'd think I'd gotten an invitation to join Soho House.  The first time is always special, isn't it? Fraught with what ifs, nervous energy, and high high hopes.  I expected champagne, macaroons, and unbelievable Rouge swag.

The Only Palette You Need...Stila Eyes Are The Window Mind Palette

If you've ever seen my makeup room, you know I'm obsessed with palettes.  Mostly eye shadow palettes, truthfully.  I feel like I'm constantly on a mission to find the PERFECT palette, though.  That palette with a million possibilities, day looks, night looks, "I woke up this way" looks.  I have to say that the Stila Eyes Are The Window Mind Palette may be it...

GlamGlow....Cleanser?!?

I've long loved GlamGlow.  Their products have gorgeous packaging, the kind you love to see when you open your medicine cabinet.  The products offer great results.  Just check out the reviews for a few of their products on Sephora.  They rock.

Product Obsession: ColourPop

Have you heard of ColourPop yet?  If you have, you can just skip to the swatches.  If not? Well you are in for a treat! I first heard about ColourPop on my favorite makeup chat group on Facebook.  The ladies were all a-buzz one morning about the color selection.  But that's just the beginning of things to  love about this brand!

One Small Step For Glamorous But Frazzled Mom's Everywhere

Hello all!  I know by all, I'm mostly just addressing my mom and my bff, but oh well.  Last night I was able to purchase my domain name and am currently working on developing my site and of course adding lots of posts full of sass, advice, and hopefully a laugh or two.  I'd like to thank my mom, who's always my biggest cheerleader and reads my blog posts religiously.  I'd also like to thank my bestie, Steph, who's not afraid to dish out the tough love when it's needed(as in YES I needed to get back to blogging).  And of course my readers, though few and far in-between, you all are so supportive and I appreciate the feedback and love.  I am so lucky to be surrounded by women who are more fabulous than frazzled who inspire me and so many of my blog posts.

The theme of That Glamorous But Frazzled Mom is basically about survival.  Us moms(and dads and caregivers) love our children more than life itself, but raising them is not an easy job.  It's fraught with twists and turns, tantrums and tears, and unfortunately you probably question yourself a lot and have guilt about what you should or shouldn't be doing.  Rest assured that you are not alone in this at all.  We are all in this together.  We all have good days, we all have bad days, and sometimes we all hide in the bathroom to eat a candy bar because we don't want to share.  I am more than happy to chronicle my parenting mishaps and misadventures if only to let all of you know that this too shall pass.  Eventually the kids will fall asleep or grow out of the phase they are in that's driving you nuts.  And as bad as things may seem at times, one day you'll probably be looking back and laughing.  I hope.  I haven't made it that far yet, but that's what I've heard.

The beauty side of That Glamorous But Frazzled Mom is about making beauty accessible to all us moms that don't have as much time as we used to have to beautify.  Beauty is of course from the inside.  But sometimes it feels so good to try a new look, find a new favorite, or just take a moment to yourself.  What's new in beauty shouldn't feel intimidating.  I am not a professional in the field, I just have a passion for beauty products and a little bit of know how that I'm happy to share my opinions and experiences.  I hope that I can embolden you to sample and swatch to your hearts content.  It's so fun to be a woman and a mom.  It's the most beautiful thing of all.