Special Guest – Amy Tara Koch, style expert, author of Bump It Up, journalist and all-around fashion aficionado will be our special host, sharing her last minute holiday travel tips and joining in the conversation. Amy is a trend reporter for NBC (WMAQ- TV) and contributes to American Baby, Pregnancy, Mom and People.com’s Mom and Baby, The New York Times, The New York Observer, Travel & Leisure, American Way, Self, NPR and The Huffington Post. Follow@AmyTaraKoch
Fashion does not have to be overwhelming, in fact it should be fun!
Grab a girlfriend, a glass of wine and join the fashionable conversation. Holiday travel sparks anxiety in the most unflappable parent. The trick to keeping it all together? Patience, preparation and packing like a pro. Amy is joining the conversation to share her picks and tips to make your trip a breeze!
These parties are for YOU and open to anyone wanting to learn or share some friendly style advice. We want everyone to feel confident in their own individual Mom Style.
Moms Fashion File Agenda
“Last Minute Holiday Travel Tips“
What to wear (for Moms)
Of-the moment toys to keep kids busy
Cootie protection-toilet in route and in the air
Bribery material: snacks and games
Organizational products for packing
Best Carry-ons
TECHY-needs for Moms and family
Organization a go go-in-bag pouches
Giveaways throughout the event from Kodak, Endless.com, Miracle Body Jeans, MomAgenda.com, Cream of Wheat, Tide, Duracell, Episcencial and Belli Skincare! Over $400 will be given away during the party.
*Please RSVP by linking up here! You must RSVP to be eligible for the prizes
*Must be a US Resident *Entrants must answer the questions asked by MomsFashionFile hosts and post answers on Twitter *Winners are picked at random by said hosts
*Winners are DM’d after the event with specifics on how to claim their prize
Women always tell me how lucky I am. They gaze longingly at my full, well arched brows, waxing poetic about blessed DNA and the painful woes of the anorexic browed crowd. And I bask in their praise. At long last, my wayward thicket of facial hair had been tamed. I smile and nod my thanks whilst inwardly chortling that I, a mere beauty obsessed mortal, had — through hard core plucking and primping — transformed my God given caterpillar brows into something resembling the effortless chic projected from professionally groomed models in Vogue.
The truth? Thick brows are a massive pain in the ass. Though the glossies have pronounced the thick Charlotte Gainsbourg-esque look au courant, we of the looming Unibrow, spend inordinate amounts of time plucking, trimming and praying that we don’t morph into Dr. Zaius of Planet of the Apes stature while we sleep at night.
I am not a hairy gal. But, somehow, my eyebrows never received the genetic newsflash to cease growing at the 1/8 inch mark. Mine ascend upwards to mid forehead and have a wingspan that almost reaches my temples. Instead of the soft downy fuzz of most women, my brows seem to be infused with testosterone and fishing line; wiry descendants of my grandfather. Without vigilance, I become a scary hybrid of Brooke Shields, Eddie Munster and Frieda Kahlo.
Some people always have breath mints stashed everywhere. I have tweezers. In the car, I peek in the vanity mirror to remove a gaggle of strays that have reared their wiry heads since breakfast. At work, while stroking my forehead in thought, I discover scary pube-like patches that have bloomed between my brows. And, then there is the Martini Tweeze; a post cocktail depilation that never ends well. Such evenings I am tempted to call Dr. Drew to implore the addition of a tweezer category to his rehab show.
So, how to avoid a hirsute destiny? Similar to thick, kinky hair, we women of the dense brow require the three ‘P’s: patience, product and professional help as needed. Inspired by the spate of editorial touting the full brow, I will spill the beans on how to morph caterpillar brows into coiffure du jour.
Here are the tools for your eyebrow arsenal:
To shellac wayward brows into well arched submission, slather on clear Alessandra Brow gel, $15
To keep create two definitive brows from one, invest in the Tweezerman Kit featuring brow Scissors and tweezer , $19.99
To maintain a groomed to- the nines arch, use Colorscience brow stencils, $10
To repair bald spots after a Martini Tweeze, keep Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum on hand, $36
For more fashion and beauty tips, visit www.bumpitupstyle.com and follow “amy tara koch style expert” on facebook.
Add some fierce fabulosity to your look with BURBERRY studded bracelets.
I am hosting a holiday soiree for Vogue at Burbery Dec 7 in Chicago and had the pleasure of shopping for MOI (versus everyone else on my list) for two hours. An accessories lover, I fell hard for the fantabulous studded bracelets and PLISSE leather bags. This, ladies, is what I call INVESTMENT PIECE
Thankfulness comes in many forms: Good health, Prosperity, Great family life. Love. But, on a recent trip to Miami, my gratitude quotient skyrocketed to a dazzling new dimension. For years, I took the term “family vacation” to be a cruel play on words. In my pre-mom life, Vacation→relaxation. Being with my children is hard core work. Therefore, going to a resort with my family was like a juicy carrot dangled before my frazzled face. My fantasy? A hybrid scenario where I—a working mama with maximum responsibilities and minimal downtime- could log in family time with a few hours to read, work out and nap. This meant that I had to unearth a property proffering the crème de la crème of kids programs.
So, with an event in S. Florida looming on the horizon, I tried something new. Instead of parking myself in hedonistic South Beach where children are treated as an unfortunate fashion “don’ts” and the expectation of “service” yields haughty glares, I booked a room at Acqualina in Sunny Isles, FL just north of Bal Harbor. This resort -the only 5 star on Miami Beach-boasted generous rooms, an Espa spa and Il Mulino restaurant. But, it was the Marine Biology based program that held the most cache. Would my daughter willingly oblige me with three hours of free time each day?
The answer was a resounding yes. After swimming for 2 hours and collecting shells, we approached Acquamarine. Every mom knows the rules of engagement. The first five minutes are crucial. Obviously trained in the high art of sharpie’s, glitter and paper plate self expressionism, Brette was immediately sucked into the world of whales .Art projects. Shell hunting. Swimming .Lunch. I scooted out and ran-literally-to the spa. After a massage, I took a nap. I read. And, at 1pm, refreshed, I picked her (and mountains of artwork) up so we could spend the rest of the day together. I was on cloud nine. This divine schedule persisted for the entire four day trip. By 8:30 each night, we retired to our cozy room, juices in hand. She of the Macintosh apple variety. Me, some heady “mommy juice”, a Pinot Noir. Needless to say, I will be returning soon.!
AAA Five Diamond Award 2010; Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Award 2009, Allure Magazine ‘Best Day Spa in Miami’ 2009, Conde Nast Traveller Top Spas in The Americas and Caribbean 2008, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2008,Sun Post Best Resort in Miami 2008,Robb Report’s Top 100 Exclusive Luxury Resorts 2007
HINT: We don’t want a vacuum cleaner. Bakewear is a bust. The monogrammed coffee holder for the car (to energize us for schlepping the kids) is not our idea of good gift. Oh, we always smile and muster a joyful expression. But, the truth is that these gifts are for YOU, not us. What do we really want? I will spill the beans on fantabulous gifts that will really help mom grin as large as her to do list!
As most of you know, I encourage women to look and feel great during pregnancy by maintaining their fashion identity. A huge box just arrived at my office filled with gorgeous maternity lingerie that is at once sexy AND functional. The collection boasts lacey nighties, silky Boy shorts and ooh-la-la G strings. The bras feature a secret breastfeeding panel. Where was this while I was skulking about in tattered Jockey undies. Ladies: this luxuriously decadent innerwear will put a spring in your step. And…your partner’s!!!
What you eat impacts your complexion. Though it seems obvious, derms emphasize that great skin is contingent upon a nutritious diet and downing eight 8oz glasses of water per day. You don’t need to axe them from your diet but know that dehydrating coffee, fried foods and salt incite toxicity (which dulls skin), zits and under eye swelling.
All through college, as I subsisted on a steady diet of popcorn, yogurt and cinnamon raisin bagels, I wondered…why oh why am I permanently constipated? My mom, a reasonably healthy eater, did not divulge the wisdom that is pooping protocol: starches +veggies + fruit= a satisfying trip to the bathroom. OK, you are wondering, where is this going? Here’s the point: For me, the carb heavy diet of pregnancy recalled those painful bouts of constipation. And, constipation factors into the condition of your skin causing breakouts and blotchiness.
KEEP IT MOVING: THREE TIPS FOR CONSTIPATION RELIEF-
1. A fiber filled, Anti-oxidant (Sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, almonds, carrots, berries, whole grain cereals and grains) rich diet will boost the immunity system, increase cellular turnover and make you poop.
2. If tropical fruits like kiwi, mango, papaya and melon are nature’s broom, spinach and broccoli are its dust buster.
3. Sprinkle flaxseed into salads and cereal. Ground up, this nutty flavored essential fatty acid (which may be very well be the tenth wonder of the world) gives reticent bowel movements a hard- to- resist come hither.
Chicagoans: I will be out and about offering up sage advice on easy, breezy ways to glam up your holiday look. Please join me at one of these fab events. RSVP required
PREGGERS & BUMP CLUB CHICAGO
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!
With Special Guest, journalist, television personality and
author of Bump It Up, Amy Tara Koch
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Preggers
900 North Michigan Avenue, 5th floor Chicago, IL 60611
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$15 in advance/$20 at the door
Fabulous giveaways include:
Medela Swing Pump Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover Gift Set
MD Moms Silky Smooth Baby gift set BabyBjorn Little Potty
