Chronicle 12: The Ideal vs. Reality

Growing up, I would wait anxiously for Friday nights, when new episodes of the sickeningly cheery sitcom Full House would finally air. The week in between each episode felt like absolute torture. And missing a show? Completely out of the question. I knew that I would have to return to school on Monday without the knowledge of what had transpired in the Tanner household. And then endure bouts of jealousy as my friends chatted away about the particularly funny things Michelle said or did. I felt as if I had been left out of something important.

http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/blogs/popwrap/200812/Images/200812_full-house-reunion.jpg

That's what these types of shows do to us. They gloss over life's milestones, slap a band-aid over the boo-boos, and miraculously move on to bigger and better things. A 2 minute talk and voila, feelings are acknowledged and the issue is instantly resolved. Deep down we all know that is not how things work. However, we feel guilty that we can't make it work like they do. Why can't I forgive and forget as easily as the Tanners? Why can't I just confront the issue head on?

We felt as if their family was what the quintessential American family looked like, that their word was gospel, and every situation should turn out like theirs did each Friday night. I was completely reassured that I would grow up to raise a family that ate dinner together every night, and wholly supported every thing each member did, unselfishly. Ice cream sundaes after every home cooked meal. A father that could work at home instead of trekking into the office. An easy pregnancy and labor, with a few quirky mood swings that were laughed off and tolerated as a joke.

I had to laugh as I recently re-watched an episode of Full House. Becky, with a tiny body and basketball belly, cutely waddles out to Jesse, smiling. "Honey...it's time!" Jesse immediately does the rushing around gathering suitcases act, while Becky looks on smiling. No evidence of contractions or pain. She says that the "indigestion" she's been feeling is now 7 minutes apart.

http://img1.tvloop.com/img/showpics/a7/a9/l377fe8580000_1_20008.jpg

REALLY? Did ya not attend a Lamaze class or parent preparation course, BECKS? Confession time: it is not like TV or the movies in any way, shape, or form. If you're a normal human being, you don't walk around smiling when you start to feel contractions. Not for long at least. Also, surprisingly, most women's water doesn't break at home, or even at all (on its own). Another thing, Full House, they will send you right back HOME if your contractions aren't at least 3-5 minutes apart. That's right! They'll send your pregnant ass right back home. Sad. By the time you are ready to have your baby, your husband will be just as prepared as you. So don't worry, ladies, he won't drive off without you!

Why? Why on EARTH doesn't anyone sit us down and tell us the truth? I would rather be prepared for what I'm going to have to do, than be living in ignorant bliss and then shocked the hell out of when I'm finally hit with reality. So, I have compiled a list. Don't be scared, mamas! Reality is not always harsh. Sometimes it can be heartbreakingly beautiful and amazing. Feel free to add your own in the comments!

http://www.wbez.org/sites/default/files/blog/insert-image/2011-January/2011-01-10/reality-check-1.jpg

Idealistic:

You will just "know" when it's time to go to the hospital.

Realistic:

You will spend much of your labor at home, timing contractions and moving around to help move things along. You will have time to inform family, load the car, have something light to eat, and drive to the hospital safely (and within the speed limit).

Idealistic:

You will bond with your baby as soon as he/she is born.

Realistic:

You're so mentally and physically exhausted after birth that you may not feel that connection right away. That is perfectly NORMAL and OK. You do not know anything about this new little life, except that you love them. It could take days or weeks to really understand how you feel. If it takes more than a month or so, please talk to your partner or your doctor. You may be dealing with post-partum depression.

Idealistic:

Your relationship with your partner will/will not change.

Realistic:

Your relationship with everyone will change, one way or another. You may get closer to certain people, and you will certainly drift away from some who are not in the same stage of life. This is also normal, and can be painful. Just know that you are going through a HUGE life change, and the people that want to stick around and support you are the most important people in your life. You WILL find alone time with your partner again, and you will resume a normal life eventually. TRUST me!

Idealistic:

Some moms have it all together.

Realistic:

There is not one single mom out there that has it all together or completely under control 100% of the time. Those that say they do are lying or delusional. Children affect your life in so many wonderful and unforeseeable ways. You're going to make mistakes because you're on a steep learning curve. It lessens with every child, but it is still there. You're going to be late. And, you're going to leave the house at least once with spit up or poop on your person. Just sayin'... be prepared. You know what helps? Laughing those moments off. Before you know it, your baby will grow up, and those moments will be gone.

http://rlv.zcache.com/funny_baby_clothes_sayings_baby_poop_joke_shirt-p235823905013177709zvzz0_400.jpg

Love you, ladies! What were some of your idealistic expectations that were completely different in reality? Please share, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Xoxo,

The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 11: The Award Show Showdown

Happy Monday, mamas! I hope you had an absolutely fabulous weekend. We sure did at the Hot Mama household. The best part of my hubby being gone all week is that we are super excited to see each other by the end of it all. It may not be the "can't get enough of each other, must suck face all the time" phase that we had at the beginning of our relationship, but for a four year + kid relationship, I don't hate it!

http://grapefruits.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/new-love-old-love.jpg

We are much more considerate of each other, which includes tolerating those deeply ingrained and annoying habits that drives the other spouse up the wall. Including, but not limited to: Nail biting, leaving used tissues around the house, leaving a peanut buttered knife in the sink without rinsing it off, "forgetting" to refill the Brita when it's empty, hogging the iPad, etc., etc. When you get comfortable, you get a bit selfish. 

What my whole diatribe is leading up to is the fact that this time of year, if the TV is on, so is a basketball game. I grew up watching sports, and I may have even tried every single sport out there (before I finally realized I am the least athletic person on the planet). But months and months of one sport seems like overkill, right? WRONG...according to the entire male population, and some very good lady friends of mine. But I ask you this: would our loving companions be willing to sit through hours and months of watching ballet? Men and women leaping and prancing around to classical music?! I THINK NOT! Soooo one sided, fellas. 

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50313_110928715594905_1841436_n.jpg

Pretending to be bored with sports is usually my bargaining tool when Maid in Manhattan is on TBS for the 50th time, or I need a Miss Congeniality fix. However, since we never see each other anymore, the bargaining has given way to, "Oh, look, hun! Five hours of Oscar coverage!" Score, a direct hit! I suppose it's the same wiring in the brain that enables me to watch hours and hours of red carpet, while hubby can watch hours and hours of basketball. And now, for your entertainment, the reason why I can watch Miss Congeniality so many times:

I. cannot. stop. laughing.

Moving on. 

Doesn't it feel as if we JUST saw the 2011 Grammys and the Oscars? Maybe it is because I have been watching too many Rachel Zoe reruns, but it literally feels as if we are watching these award shows all year long. No complaints here... it just BAFFLES me. Now, if you weren't aware, celebrities see the Grammys as a chance to fly their fashion freak flag. It is a much more casual event than the Oscars, and you see all sorts of, shall we say, interesting choices. 

http://obama.net/2012-grammys-best-and-worst-dressed-stars/

Nikki Minaj must have been creeping behind the scenes of Twilight's New Moon, because she looks like she could blend in perfectly with the Roman festival shown at the end of the movie. She is a beautiful woman, trying way too hard to top Lady Gaga. Enough, Minaj! We get it... you're different.

http://stylefrizz.com/img/Fergie-orange-lace-JP-Gaultier-dress-2012-Grammy-Awards.jpg

Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas went for a slightly less political outfit, and instead opted for...well, less of an outfit, period. We got a look at her raven granny panties peeking through a tight fitting doily, which seemed to be RIT-dyed a fancy flourescent orange. Which complemented her umm, "tan" glow quite nicely, might I add. Mamas, I would MUCH rather see a fake tan over a real tan any day, but with all that money and all those stylists, how does she still manage to cast such a tangerine hue?

http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2012/02/13/231163-lady-gaga-at-the-grammy-s.jpg

Lady Gaga made a very understated appearance on the carpet this year, in contrast to last year when she curled into a large egg and was hoisted by Caesar's Palace inspired Grecians into the venue. In fact, I don't remember seeing her on the carpet at all. She kept it simple with a scepter and an all black ensemble, but the crazy eyes were running wild all night. We love you Gaags! I feel like she must be hoarding all her creative energy for another amazing album.

There actually were some beautiful dresses at the Grammys, but they were nothing compared with some of the dresses I drooled over at the Oscars last night. The Oscars always make me so nostalgic, with the old Hollywood glamour and the inevitable homage to film's evolution through the years. Women sparkle and dazzle, dressed by some of my favorite designers in very classic silhouettes. 

http://www.popsugar.com/Jennifer-Lopez

These pictures do not do Jennifer Lopez's custom Zuhair Murad dress any justice whatsoever. She simply sparkled and shimmered in this silvery pleated dress. Words don't even do it justice! Her dress moved in a subtle and slinky way, and accentuated her curves ("ASSets" would have been the better, yet more obvious wording here). The deep v-neck was super sexy, but not over the top or slutty. And the cutout sleeves provided even more visual interest, but not in an overbearing way. It was like butta!

http://www.stylelist.com/2012/02/26/oscars-2012-best-dressed-_n_1299263.html

Penelope Cruz wore this gorgeous baby blue dress by Armani Prive, which totally reminds me of the dress Sleeping Beauty wears at the end of the movie. You know... the one that kept changing from pink to blue? This gauzy off the shoulder look could have hinted toward the 80s in any other color, but it only highlighted Penelope's beautiful skin tone and decollete, and allowed for a simple diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet. I had visions of myself riding away on a horse wearing this dress, Runaway Bride style. Love!

http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/category/blog/blog-celebrities/angelina-jolie/

Everyone is talking about Angelina, and her gaunt cheeks and toothpick wings. What is with the "I wont eats cheezburger" look? I know she is running around after 115 kids these days, but really? This Atelier Versace practically swallowed her whole, leaving us a glimpse of an escaped limb that resembled a malnourished Barbie leg. Honey, get some help. If you need some extra weight, chop off your man's mane and attach it to yourself!!

There were so many more that I simply adored, but this post is getting rather long, mamas. Were you able to watch the Oscars or the Grammys? What looks did you lust over and which sent you hitting the ground laughing? Would you be interested in a Part 2?

Be sure to leave a comment, and come back soon!

Xoxo,

The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 10: Choose Your Own Adventure

If we are students of Life, then our teacher is the all knowing headmistress who bitch slaps us with a ruler when we misbehave. Yes, it sounds a little harsh. And I prefer to think of that stinging yardstick as karma; you get what you give. Oh, how I wish that things were that black and white. No grey area, no in between the lines. Life as a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, with all possible routes already mapped out. Where you could take all concrete possibilities and mull them over, before choosing a path.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. We've all had those moments where we made a choice, or said something out loud before we took the time to think it over. Or sometimes, we were so convinced that our decision was the best one, it was impossible to define how it would be construed. That old cliche " it's the thought that counts" apparently doesn't apply in those situations. Now, I have a filter, and I try to stop before I think and deliver my thoughts with tact. But, I will be the first to admit that my filter isn't the strongest. I can be blunt, and I am rash. That is me. I AM STILL LEARNING. I am still a young woman making her way in the world. I'm trying to find myself, yet my life is constantly changing.

Nothing brings out my flaws more than drastic life changes. And honey, 2010-2011 was a hell of a life changing year. My husband and I got married, found out we were pregnant three months later, and in May, I finally graduated college. In September of 2011, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, pre-eclampsia and all. My life and my identity was in constant upheaval. Talk about grey areas...nothing during that time period was black and white in the least!

It seems to me that I get caught up in the minute details, and neglect the whole picture. I believe this may have hurt some people along the way, and I can only hope that they know me well enough to talk to me about it, or know that I would never hurt someone intentionally. At the time, those small details seemed like the single most important issue in my entire life. And never having gone through an engagement, wedding, or pregnancy firsthand, or even secondhand, I had no way to analyze my actions. I did the best I could, by sticking to my guns and doing what was best for my family and myself. Weathering the backlash was an unforeseen and heart breaking experience.

This post is extremely (and purposefully) vague, but I felt as if it needed to be written. I want to document this time of my life, so I can look back with confidence and say, "I chose the right path", or "That decision was not the best, but I learned ..." and "Look where I am now, and how far I have come!"

Your turn, mamas. Have you recently reflected on your life and pinpointed certain decisions that changed your life? Are there any decisions you have learned a lot from, or are glad you made?
Can't wait to hear from you!

Xoxo,
The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 9: Hot Mama's (Modified) Bucket List

For a society so scared of death and dying, we sure do have a fascination with bucket lists, or the "I'm so afraid of heights, I pee my pants in a second story house, but I want to go cliff diving before I kick it" list.  Many of those goals pertain to far out ideas, that truthfully, most people will never be able to cross off. That's part of the fun, isn't it? To have dreams and goals that make you feel brave, spontaneous, and worldly? But what about the amazing feeling of crossing something off your to-do list? Something tangible, doable, and most importantly, realistic.

I have always, always said that the only thing standing in your way is yourself. Is this belief compromised when I modify my bucket list? I suppose so. After having a baby, my priorities shifted. I can't imagine jumping out of a plane (again) when I have a little life waiting for me on the ground. I also can't imagine backpacking across Europe for weeks, bungee jumping, or spelunking in a cave other than Mammoth. I'm not claustrophobic, but have you SEEN those scary cave movies? Like where blind cave fish evolved into human being like creatures that can crawl up walls and ceilings? No thanks!

           ============>
             Logical jump??



I was able to accomplish several things on my pre-baby bucket list, but I am so excited to expand it to include my son. Here is the official Hot Mama (Modified) Bucket List:

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree
2. Get married
3. Have children
4. Own a home
5. Travel overseas
6. Visit all 50 states
7. Go sky diving
8. Have a teaching career
9. Write a book
10. Get that book published!
11. Learn how to fly a plane
12. Buy a motorcycle
13. Be comfortable with my body (Yes, even post baby! This does not include occasional PMS tantrums when "nothing fits")
14. Change someone's life for the better
15. Learn how to forgive, even when I can't forget (Work in progress)
16. Teach my children how to be compassionate people
17. Teach my child independence
18. Watch my children graduate from kindergarten,  high school & college
19. Be a mother in law that my son is proud of (We will see...)
20. Sell the house and travel the country RV style with the hubs once we are empty nesters
21. Earn a Master's and/or Doctorate degree

Of course, as my life evolves, so will my bucket list. I hope to keep adding to it as I cross items off. Mommyhood is adventurous enough, for now. It presents an entirely new sets of challenges. It shows me what I'm made of. I wouldn't miss a thing.

So, mamas, tell me. What's on your bucket list? What are some of your favorite cross-offs? What things do you need a little shot of courage to complete? Be sure to leave a comment below!

Xoxo,
The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 8: The Power of Love

Did anyone else just sing "The pa pa powa of looove!" from Back to the Future? Anyone? Just me? Mmkayyy. I think I've been watching too much HBO during naptime. And the song has been stuck in my head for about 24 hours now. Not that I mind... it's a pretty bitchin' song, yeah?

So, things have been crazy in our house lately. I was in the process of contemplating my next big life decision. Do I resume applying for jobs, continue to be a stay at home mom, or do what my sister in law calls "our generation's way of avoiding reality" and apply to grad school? It's serious, and scary, and affects more than just me. (Did you catch the "WAS in the process of"?)

My husband works for a wonderful company. They are usually mindful of their employees' family situations, and make a great effort to show their appreciation for the many hours lost to mindless number crunching and travel. We've been taking the overtime and trips in stride, up until... now. We just learned last week that he will be working out of state for an extended period of time. And by extended, I mean close to half a year. Yeah, you read that right. I've been thrust into single parenthood for about half a year.

 

This clip really doesn't have much to do with anything...I just love this movie, and the classic line: "Don't call me Shirley!".

Now, before you accuse the Hot Mama of complaining, take a moment to assess what YOUR initial  reaction would be. Even if you are not a mama, being away from your family or significant other for an extended period of time just SUCKS. Add in a young baby who changes by the day, and still needs 'round the clock care. Being a mom is a 24/7 job, but with my man in another state, I won't have the luxury of any time to myself.

Honestly, my first thought was "What will be the state of our relationship at the end of this?" I'll save the gory details for another post, but the fact of the matter is your relationship with your partner changes dramatically after baby. You play different roles, your expectations for each other are different, standards are higher than ever. It's a wonderful, stressful journey and an absent spouse doesn't make it any easier. Add into that my constant tendency to worry.

I worry about the craziest things: Hubby being subjected to airport food, germs, hotel rooms, taxi cab drivers, hot lady co-workers, mean bosses, absolutely crazy work hours, him fitting into our schedule at home on the weekends, sex, laundry, but most of all...communication. A phone call a night that covers what we did and what we plan to do tomorrow, but never really covering the important things. Who wants to enter a deep discussion/argument/cry fest over the phone? Not I! Not he...

So. All I know for certain is this: My husband is fortunate to even have a job, let alone such an amazing job. He is able to support all of us, and works endless hours to do so. And for that, I can and will suck it up. I'll be taking it day by day, and so will he. That, my hot mamas, is the power of love.

What obstacles have you overcome with your partner? Be sure to leave an encouraging comment below!

Xoxo,
The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 7: A Beauty Tutorial

Part 2: Video Vixen

Hey hot mamas! You know, I’ve been looking forward to filming this video for quite some time. Maybe it’s just me, but I have always been curious about other people’s daily routines, as well as the why’s and how’s behind it. Step by step tutorials are how I learn best, and the fact that you see a clear before and after is exciting (Is there such a thing as a beauty nerd?!). 

             Beautiful nerd? 

On the last post I outlined my morning skincare routine, and gave a sneak peek of the Hot Mama Fast Face. A product list can be found here. All of the products I use are for sensitive and/or dry skin, so please take that into account if you are looking to incorporate any of the products I show on the video. Also, I will make suggestions for alternative products when I can. If you have any questions about how/why I use the products, how to apply them, or where to find them, please leave a comment at the end of either Beauty Tutorial post!

Here we go, ladies! (Please forgive my terrible video taking/editing/tech skills...or lack thereof!)

***VIDEO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES***

Beauty Tutorial Breakdown:

My morning routine:

1. Clarisonic Mia for one minute with Clarins Cleansing Milk

2. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme peel for 1-3 minutes (once a week)

3. Clarins Toning Lotion, applied in circular motion with cotton round

4. ROC Retinol Correxion Eye cream

5. Jack Black Double Duty Moisturizer with SPF 20 (mixed with Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid on the mornings I will be leaving the house)

Hot Mama Fast Face, or the “Welcome Home, Honey” face:

1. Spot touch up with Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 

2.  C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries Mentha Lip Buffer (to smooth lips and freshen breath)

3. Eyeko Strawberry Fat balm as cream blush on lips and cheeks

4. Bobbi Brown Tortoiseshell Sand Eye Palette, with darkest shadow as eyeliner

5. Coat of Millionize mascara if needed

Hot Mama Date face or, “Mom’s watching the kids” face:

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, put on with foundation brush

2. Spot touch-up with Laura Mercier Secret Camoflouge

3. Laura Mercier finishing powder or Mary Kay mineral powder in Ivory

4. Nars Orgasm blush

5. Bobbi Brown eyebrow pencil in Blonde

6. Two coats Millionize mascara

7. Mally black eyeliner

8. Satin Taupe, Bobbi Brown Tortoiseshell eye shadows – smoky eye

9. Clinique Black Honey lip gloss

10. Perfume: Flowerbomb by Victor Rolf, or Violet Blonde by Tom Ford (depending on how sexy I want to feel!) 

Friends, mamas... I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed making it! For someone as     challenged as me in the tech department, I hope that future posts are created much quicker and are not as primitive. Thanks for patiently standing by! I love you all.

Leave any questions you have in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Xoxo, 

The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 6: A Beauty Tutorial

Part 1: Hot Mama's Must Haves

One of my favorite things to do online is watch beauty tutorials and read beauty blogs. I absolutely love learning about skincare, makeup, and new techniques and trends in the beauty industry. Taking care of my skin and hair is a big priority for me... I mean, we only get one shot with them, why not invest?! This is why I do not mind spending a bit more money on beauty products. There are, of course, a few drugstore products that are amazing (a few of which made my Must Have list).

Healthy skin is a great base for makeup, and depending on how clear it is, you can even skip the foundation! I keep my face clear with a consistent regimen. Baby G has 2 morning naps at this point, so I use that time to take a shower and perform the morning routine. My evening routine is completed after he goes to sleep. If he's awake, I will pop him in the exersaucer and move it where I can see him. Sometimes we'll jam out to the 90s. So, no excuses, hot mamas; it can be done almost daily! Truth be told, once a day is better than nothing.

                                                                  http://www.trendstyleimage.com/uploads/articles/40/image.jpg

My morning routine:

1. I use my Clarisonic Mia for one minute, with Clarins Cleansing Milk with Alphine Herbs, which is super creamy and fairly inexpensive (around $25 at Sephora). The Clarisonic Mia is a wonderful tool that I would highly recommend. It is wonderful at exfoliating and smoothing fine lines, and your makeup application will be much smoother.

2. Once a week I use a thin layer of Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel & Reveal Dermal resurfacer, a pumpkin enzyme mask that only takes around 1-3 minutes depending on how sensitive your skin is.

3. Clarins Toning Lotion with Chamomile applied with a cotton ball in a circular motion. This is a very important and often missed step. Toner not only removes excess makeup and dirt from the face, but it restores your skin's PH balance after washing it, and readies the skin for moisturizing. 

4. ROC Retinol Correxion Eye cream (a drugstore find!). It is essential that you use a separate eye cream, and not just your moisturizer. Eye creams are specially made for the delicate skin around your eyes! This helps with dark under circles, as well (for all my sleepless hot mamas!).

5. Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer, SPF 20 with Blue Algae & Sea Parsley - what a mouthful! It's my husband's, and I love it. Super light and less expensive than my other moisturizers. On mornings I will be leaving the house, I mix it with Caudalie's all natural Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid with SPF 15. It is on the expensive side, but well worth it. I have yet to find a better sunblock, primer, and illuminator all in one.

Caudelie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid. Primer and illuminator in one! 

My evening routine is pretty much the same, although I use eye makeup remover first, and I leave out the Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid. If my skin is super dry, like during the winter, I will use a more heavy duty moisturizer, like L'Oreal Age Perfect Night Cream, another drug store find.

My Hot Mama Must Haves :

Foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra Light Skin Perfecting Makeup Instant Natural Radiance, SPF 15 

Blush: Nars Orgasm

MAC Satin Taupe eye shadow

Mally black eyeliner (QVC, lasts for days)

L'Oreal Millionize mascara

Mary Kay eye makeup remover (used for YEARS!)

Eyeko Strawberry Fat Balm (cream blush/lip blush)

Ren Ultra Moisture Day Cream

MAC Satin Taupe, a flattering shade for any skin tone. Swipe across eyelid for day, layer for smoky eye at night!

I will be posting a video tutorial on how I use these products in my day to day life. For now, here's a sneak peek! 

How I use them:

Hot Mama Fast Face, or the “Welcome Home, Honey” face:

1. Spot touch up with Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 

2.  C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries Mentha Lip Buffer (to smooth lips and freshen breath)

3. Eyeko Strawberry Fat balm as cream blush on lips and cheeks

4. Bobbi Brown Tortoiseshell Eye Palette, with darkest shadow as eyeliner

5. Coat of Millionize mascara if needed

Stay tuned for Part 2... I will be breaking down the morning skin care regimen,  and the Fast Face and Date Face makeup routines in a video!

xoxo,
The Hot Mama

**Disclaimer: I am not paid to endorse these products, I just really, really love them!!

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!

Chronicle 5: Inner Beauty

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” ~ Bhagwan Sree Rajneesh

Becoming a mother has to be one of the most life altering experiences a person can have. When I was pregnant with my son, I began the process of accepting that my life would never be the same. Instead of buying bestsellers in bulk on Amazon, I hit up the local Babies R Us and waddled home with a stack of thick baby and parenting books. Compelling stuff.

My life was a blur of endless doctor appointments, buying maternity clothes that would fit my ever expanding belly, and stocking up on all baby essentials. It was surreal. It was amazing. It was…lonely.

                                                http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/married-pregnant-and-abandoned/

Yes, lonely! My life seemed to be taking a completely different direction from everyone around me. And my baby belly made it difficult to do a lot of things I loved doing. I was gaining the most precious gift in the world, but I was also losing who I was.

I didn’t come to this realization until recently, when I noticed a stack of books on the bedside table that had been left untouched for months. MONTHS! Even when I have the time, I turn to tidying up the house, or laundry, or something mindless like watching pregnant 16 year olds make horrible life decisions on TV. This coming from a woman who could toss back a novel a day, and write a 10 page paper in a few hours!

"Have fun livin' on the streets wif ya boyyyfwennd, Juhnelle!" http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004149619180/

Those poor girls have no idea who they are, but I have a pretty good idea who I am, and what makes me happy. When I was creating a Facebook page for The Hot Mama, it asked me to list my interests. I was quick to type out a long list including reading, writing, and drawing…all things I’ve put on the back burner since becoming a mama. It’s time, mamas! My son is always first and foremost in my mind and life, but how can I give him what he deserves if I am not happy?

We may all have different definitions of inner beauty. For me, it involves being a well-rounded person: Going to the art museum, spending quality time with family and friends, not just reading, but getting involved in a novel, learning new things, and meeting new people. I become a better person. I maintain happiness.

This blog was my first step, my baby step, towards strengthening my inner beauty. We all go through phases where we hunker down and just survive, doing whatever it takes to make it through the day. But I want my son to know me as I really am. I want to set a healthy inner beauty example, so one day he will be able to do the same for his children.

So, what are your favorite ways to satisfy your inner beauty? Be sure to leave a comment, and as always, come see me again, you hot mama, you!

Xoxo,

The Hot Mama

Check out the Hot Mama on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehotmamachronicles and Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !!