Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  I normally don't "Celebrate" Halloween.  This year I decided to go in on a group Halloween contest at work.

I found all these items in my closet!  The mic is from my 30th Birthday party.

We had a ball dressing up and even did a mini performance at work.  Oh yeah, we won for the group costume division.

Everyone be safe tonight!

What are you or your little one dressing up as for Halloween.  Hopefully I get some good pictures of Peyton tonight.

Peyton Yo Gabba Gabba Style

Sunday I was so excited to take Peyton to see Yo Gabba Gabba!  If you don't know who they are you  need to check them out.  It's sorta like a Hip-Hop Sesame Street.  I love them just as much as Peyton does.  Check out what she wore to the show.

 Peyton is wearing a black Baby Gap Moto jacket that was $11 with Joe's skinny jeans from Norstrom $35.  Rocking pink Ugg boots.  Scarf is from Forever 21 Girl, $4!  Yes they have little girls clothes.  They start at a size 4 so Peyton will be getting accessories for now.

The animal print scarf is all the rage this fall so you know Peyton had to have one.

 How cute is her little booty in these!  Too bad I don't own a pair of Joe's Jeans.

 Peyton waiting for the show to start.

 Tried to get a shot of us as you can see I was just getting in her way.

Like I said, I LOVE Yo Gabba Gabba but Biz Markie hit the stage and shut it down! All the parents got up and danced when he came out.

Peyton and I had a blast!  Here is a short video of Peyton breaking it down.  The video is extremely dark (I don't know how to turn the light on) but you can catch a glimpse and it's only 30 seconds. 

What are you kids or your favorite kid shows?

Found: Knee Boots

I have been on a mission to find Peyton some knee boots for the fall.  I am surprised how much boots for babies cost.  Sorry, I can't spend $50 on boots she will wear for a few months, I mean I would but I don't think it's necessary.  I find boots for myself for $40!  Before I left for Blogalicious I went to JC Penny's and found these...

They are faux suede slouch knee boots for $20.  Peyton looks so cute in them with her little bow legs!  I will have a picture of her wearing them soon!

I don't know if you are familiar with the Okiedokie line at JC Penny's but it is so cute!  They are great everyday play clothes.

I found this sweatshirt at Target for $1.50!   Can't beat that!

What did you buy this weekend?  Any good deals?

Confessions of a 30 Something! I'm Featured

Happy Friday Ladies!  I am being featured over at Confessions of a 30 Something! I am so honored to share what I think about being in my 30's.  Please head over and check me out and show some love!

What are your confessions of a 30 something?

True You Cosmetics Review

I meet Jessica the owner of True You Cosmetics at the Autumn Beauty Event a couple of weeks ago.  She is so sweet!  She handed me the Haute 3 Color Multi-use palette and asked if I would do a review. 

Here is the case.  Love the size, about the same size as a credit card.  No problem fitting this in your clutch when you are on the go.

Here are the three colors with a lip brush and sponge tip to apply.  The Haute palette is multi-use but I decided to just try on my lips.  I would normally shy away from the bright colors but I dove right in.

First I tired lined my lips.

I put about two coats of the Hot Pink.  No gloss on top.

I wiped my lips and lined again with a neutral liner for round two.

Here is the bright orange color.  Two coats!  I have big lips as you can see.

I topped this color off with the Bobby Brown clear lip gloss.  POW!  Lips Poppin!

Whew, All these lips!  Don't ya wanna kiss me?  LOL

Loving the colors with a clear lip gloss.  True You Cosmetics went with me to Blogalicious! I wore the bright pink. 

Overall, I love this palette!  It stayed on all night and I love the color.  I did put on a few coats but I have pretty dark lips so I pack it on to make the color even.  I would suggest added a clear lip gloss to make it POP!  I like Bobby Brown clear lip gloss the best.

True You Cosmetics has inspired me to go bold!  She informed me last night that this palette will be back in stock on Monday, but check out her site for other items. So happy she allowed me to do the review!  You will see me wearing bright lips more often!  Would you wear a BOLD or BRIGHT lip?

Thursday Thirsts: Looms Lids and Layers

Hey guys!  I am guest posting on Looms Lids and Layers what I thirst for this Thursday!

Like this Elie Tahari coat!  SICK!  So head over and check it out!  Click HERE!

4 Years Ago

I married my best friend and the love of my life!  I am blessed to have such a loving and supportive husband!  I love the father that he is to Peyton!  I never had that as a child and I almost come to tears watching them play together.

I can't believe that it has been 4 years!  Time flies when your having fun!

No marriage is perfect but here are a few things that I have learned over the years...

• Don't try and fight every battle.
• Be your husbands biggest cheerleader!
• Hide shopping bags in the truck a few days to avoid confrontation : )
• When he finds the bags, just tell him how much you saved! "Honey, I got $150 pair of shoes for $40"
• Take care of business in the bedroom : ), 

We have no big plans to celebrate since I have been out of town.  I would just love to just spend some one on one time and EAT!

What do you do to celebrate you anniversary?

Blogalicious: What I Learned

Blogalicious was amazing!  I met the most inspiring and encouraging women (and a few men) at Blogalicious.  I was welcomed you with open arms. 

The conference was held at the uber fab Gaylord Resort on National Harbor!

The conference kicked off Friday with a little eye candy that is Jesse Jones from U-ology!  This fine young man is only 30 and now speaks all over the place.  Here are some great things that he shared with us.

• Uncover your Passion (there is that word again)
• Talk about it and be about it!
• The most important connection is within!

Next, Corine from Complicated Mama and Tina from Life Without Pink spoke during the Your Social Evolution: Building Your Network!

• While networking find a common ground and make a mental note
• Twitter lists are great
• Email is not dead! Follow up using email!
• Pay it Forward
• Collaborate with other Bloggers

Tips for attending a conference or event:

• Before the event
• Find out who is going
• Identify people you want to meet
• Start a conversation before had via twitter or facebook
• During the event
• Leave your comfort zone, don't always sit with the same people
• Don't pitch, listen!  Don't walk up to people and just go in about yourself
• After
• Follow Up!
• Make it personal
• Continue the relationship

Great stuff!  I wanted to steal the faux fur jacket that Corine was wearing!  She ran away from me before I could get a picture : )

The next session was The Truth About Brands, Bloggers and ROI: A Conversation with PR Rockstars

The panel consisted of Don Moore of Burell Digital, Ted Rubin of Collective Bias and Nancy Martira with Ketchum PR, all PR Rockstars! Here are some bullet points from them.

• Content is NOT King, Great Content is King!
• "Engagement is Queen" Ted Rubin. 
• PR companies like to see you engaging with your community.
• You are selling yourself to a brand, Lear to sell
• Bloggers are more influential then Celebrities
• Just by learning a few simple things about agencies can catapult you.
• Follow the brands you like
• Research PR companies

Great stuff from these Rock Stars!  Can you believe blogger are more influential then Celebs?

After the PR session we had a cupcake party for the American Cancer Society More Birthday Campaign.  We all song Happy Birthday!  It was very moving, bring us to tears.
Then it was lunch time I was talking and meeting people that I did not make it to any formal sessions.  I did enjoy all the sponsor booths.

Saturday morning after breakfast we welcomed by a gospel choir promoting the move Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah coming out in January! 

Next session was Setting Your Own Stage: Creating An Outlet for Your Voice.  Helana Andrews author of B$tch is the New Black and Damon Young of Verysmartbrothas.com

First, Helena is HILARIOUS!  I had to get her book!  Her book as actually is becoming a movie working with the creator of Greys Anatomy!  Congrats to her!

Here are some of the great points that stood out to me.

• People should know your voice
• Be confident and stand by your content
• You want people to make you a part of their daily routine ex; coffee then Baby Shopaholic : )
• When guest writing know your audience
• Sometimes for inspiration you just need to put the computer away and just live.

The keynote speaker on Saturday was Rene Syler of Good Enough Mom.  She was talking about Reinvention ROCKS! I have to say this was the my favorite part of the conference!  Rene is a former anchor on CBS' The Early Show.  She has also sat on Oprah's couch!  She had some awesome points that really resonated with me as a new mom.

• Surround yourself with the right people!  Don't have the wrong people sucking up your energy!
• Everything happens for a reason. The life you lead is seldom the life you laid out for yourself.
• Not everyone will like you. Let that be their problem!  WORD UP!
• Being nervous is okay. Because you can use it as rocket fuel.
• Fear is NOT your friend

I just love the phrase "Good Enough Mom".  As a mom we want to be the Perfect Mom and Wife. Rene reiterated that your best is Good Enough!  That is so powerful!

I found this little diva, Alice taking party in the conference wearing a Missoni outfit.  She is the daughter of DC mom blogger A Parent in Silver Spring.

Another great session was Working with Brands Workshop.  It was ran by The Clever Girls Collective.  Here s a summary of working with brands.

• Make sure your blog is Pretty!
• No typos (I fail at this one)
• Photos
• Layout
• Business side
• Get your metrics together and put together a media kit.
• Know your value
• Follow up with PR or companies you meet
• Cold Call
• Find out who the company is working with
• Learn about them
• Follow them on twitter or Facebook
• Don't burn bridges!
• Develop relationships

The Lovely Danica from Be Everywhere sporting a I Heart Baby Shopaholic canvas bag!  Do you like the bag?  I'm still working on the design.  Would you purchase one if proceeds went to a charity?  I would love your feedback on this.  Comment or send me an email: thebabyshopaholic at gmail.

I hope some of these notes will help you on your blogging adventure!  I really loved Blogalicious and plan on going next year as well!  I also plan on attending Blogher (who was one of the sponsors for Blogalicious) next year. Are you inspired to attend a blog conference in the future? 

Again, if you have any question feel free to email me.

Blogalicious: The Outfits

I am back from Blogalicious in Washington D.C. and it was AWESOME!  So happy I attended and will do my best to go next year!  I met a lot of incredible women, learned a ton about the blog business, inspiring speakers and a lot of swag!  Before I get into the details and notes from the conference lets go over the outfits.

Friday was the 1st official day of Blogalicious.  I wore a Gap bow blouse with Gap Long and Lean bootcut jeans.  Blazer aka The Pimp Jacket is made by Iceberg, I got this jacket 12 years ago when Iceberg was HOT!  But I think this jacket is still HOT.  Belt is from Forever 21.

Here I am with my new Bloggy BFF's Tamara from Blitz and Glam and Monica from SoFamily.

I met Shrek!

I took the Pine-Sol personality quiz so this is what I had to put on.  They got it right! I was trying to do a toe touch.

Blogalicious had a few parties Friday night.  First, we hit up the Middle Sister Wine suite.  Do you like how turned the sophisticated lady look back on after acting a fool a the Pine-Sol booth?

They we headed down to the XBox Kinect Party!  I am wearing a dress from one of those cute cheapy stores in the mall, can't remember the name.  It was $34!  You WILL see this dress again!  I love this dress.

Of course my Christian Dior Mary Janes made it to Blogalicious!  I should have practiced walking in these shoes, they were higher then any shoe I have ever worn!  I had to lean forward in order to walk!  Not a good look!  I may have to have surgery to relocate my ankles so I can wear these shoes! 

Tamara and I getting ready for our Let's Dance battle.  My earrings are from Pretty Girl Glam.

Here we are in action dancing to "Party Rock"! Peep I am wearing my Ugg boots!  Look at Monica!  She was getting it!  Bomb Kat!

Here is my Saturday fit.  Sweater from H&M $10.  Blouse from Express $25 using a coupon.  Scarf is from Kohls, $3.  Pants are also from Express, I purchased these before I had Peyton and never wore them.  Spike Bracelet from Pretty Girl Glam.  Shoes are from Sole Society.

The Beautiful Paula Patton came to Blogalicious representing Cover Girl!  She is so adorable.  She took time to speak and take pictures with everyone!  She is such a lovely person!   Her look is to die for!  That dress is amazing!  She said she was a Baby Shopaholic too!

Check out her shoes and legs!  I need a leg transplant!

This is what I wore flying in.  I got this jacket last year from some teeny bopper store for $10.  Check out my new bag!  It's from Deux Lux!  I picked it up from Nordstroms.  I told the sales lady I needed a big bag with a long strap and she found this!  I had never heard of the line but now I am in love.   I carried it during the conference, it held my new large camera and personal items and shoes when my feet ran out of gas.

Here I am ready to go home!  I know, it looks like what I came in.  Pretty much.  I just added my Missoni for Target hat.  Can you tell I was tired but so ready to get home to Peyton. 

Stay tuned for more Blogalicious recaps!