Old Navy, New Love!

When I hear "Old Navy", I think: Seriously affordable, sometimes cute, all-american...memorable advertising! Like the kinds of commercials you can't shake from your brain.  Case and point: Amy Poehler in the new "Art is Dead, Jeans Are Alive" ad.  So for that reason, the brand usually catches my attention but it was only until recently, after giving birth to my bundle-of-love that I found a new love in Old Navy.  Lemme break it down for ya.  The baby clothes are well enough made, just as good as any of the other basic brands out there BUTTTTT a fraction of the cost.  Like $10 for two pairs of pants, $15 for a pack of 3 long-sleeved onesies and even halloween costumes for $8.  The sales?!  I mean, fuggget about it.  When your kids outgrow their polka-dot polos after one wear, the key is,  buy more, for a whole lot less.  And Old Navy makes that possible.  So...in true Haute Moms Club fashion, I scoured the site and I stocked up on basics, LOTS OF THEM.  And the good news??? You may even find something snazzy for yourself :)  Here are some recommendations.  www.oldnavy.gap.com

#PinkPower

 

Haute Moms Club, please check out this powerful interview seen on The Today Show this AM with former GMA Anchor, Joan Lunden who's battling breast cancer.  She shares her story with Matt Lauer and breast cancer survivor, Hoda Kotb.  Joan proves life is far from over even when you hear that dreaded diagnosis.  It's not a death sentence as it was 20 years ago and women are so much more open about their struggles, creating a support system for anyone and everyone affected by this disease.  Joan appears on the cover of People Magazine, without her trademark blonde bob, but looking more alive than ever.  She's the picture of courage, bravery and beauty.  All this, as we head into October, Cancer Awareness Month.  Stay strong Joan, you're a true inspiration. #PinkPower

http://www.today.com/health/joan-lundens-breast-cancer-battle-i-just-want-give-voice-2D80183716

Haute Mom Must-Haves For Fall

I like to shop my closet. It's quick, convenient, and FREE! But I had a serious Oh Shit moment the other day when I sifted through piece after piece and realized, none of it fits me! Not SIZE-wise BUT STYLE-wise.  All these tops I used to prance around in without a bra, out the window (at least while I remain an E cup) and those itsy-bitsy denim-cutoffs?! They just feel so....uhhhh....YOUNG!  Bright pink wedges?  No can do.  And then it came...the breakdown.  Holy crap, I'm OLD! I'm nothing but an old....boring...Mom.  But then it hit me.  The old me, actually,  the much younger me, decked in micro-minis, crop tops and 10-inch platforms (seriously) may be changed, but certainly not gone.  That wide-eyed, excited, rebellious, youthful spirit is still very much alive, just expressed in a different, more elegant way. I remind myself,  life is all about change.  If we don't change, we die.  Plain and simple.  So it's time to embrace the transformation and love my 30's as a new Haute Mommy.  This story seems even more fitting seeing as summer has turned to fall, the leaves are changing, temps cooling and style evolving.  It's out with the old, in with the new, a wonderful thing to celebrate!  So while I continue hacking through my closet getting rid of, frankly, a lot of crap, I begin filling it with new pieces; really beautiful clothing that's still sexy but sophisticated and always on-trend.  That said, here are my 7 Fall Must-Haves that I recommend for EVERY Haute Mom.

1. Pencil Skirt www.oldnavy.com

2. Faux Leather Pants www.hm.com Or Leather Pants www.ralphlauren.com Polo for Ralph Lauren Women

3.  Tailored Blazer www.zara.com

4. Over-The-Knee Boots www.stuartweitzman.com

5. Something Blue www.gap.com

6. Bad-Ass Booties www.ralphlauren.com

7. Rip-Torn Jeans www.geneticlosangeles.com  

PWD: Pumping While Driving

Pumping is a damn burden...and about as exciting as watching paint dry.  Now that I think of it, I always feel like I'm in "time-out" when it's time to pump because I'm literally stuck in a corner, on the floor, with this alien-like contraption attached to my tatas counting down the minutes until the milk hits the top.  But ladies, that's all about to change...Thanks to the winners of MIT's "Make Breast Pump Not Suck Hacathon."  It's the brand spanking new "Mighty Mom" Breast Pumping Tool Belt.  In a sentence, this invention is a concealable, portable belt that carries bottles and a pump and can be worn while doing just about anything...including driving!!!  And here I thought the hands-free pump bra was genius!  They've got some serious competition.  Check it out... http://betaboston.com/news/2014/09/22/breastpump-hackathon-winners-build-batman-inspired-mighty-mom-belt/

The Key To Living Longer? The Tortoise Vs. The Human Vs. The Hound

  Sorry to get all serious on yall'z but....Did you know a giant tortoise will live 100+ years on average, while humans' lifespan is around 78.5 (give or take) and sadly our beloved fury friends are with us just a small fraction of that. But why?  Well, turns out, it could have something to do with the number of breaths we take. Now let's get one thing straight, I'm no Doc, wouldn't survive another day of school if I tried, but I do pay attention to basic logic so when I heard this theory, the light bulb went off.

Dogs breathe approximately 24 breaths in a minute Humans = about 12-20 breaths in a minute Tortoises breathe in 4 breaths per minute and they live longest.

Point is, if we as humans, consciously slow down our breathing, taking longer, deeper breaths, will that promote greater relaxation and an overall calmness, creating a longer lifespans for us?! Perhaps it's just one factor, but certainly a crucial one.  After all, we know stress is a one BIG killer. So, we here at Haute Moms Club enlist all you heroic ladies today on this #HauteMommyMonday to do something special for YOURSELF. Whether it's an at-home facial, an online purchase (F#%* Me Pumps, duh),  a shower,  a bath, for gawd sakes, a Real Housewives episode or 5...take some time to celebrate yourself, and most of all, just breathe.