New Beginnings

 I know it's January 23rd, but it feels like New Years Day for our family! It's a new start. A new adventure. A new beginning. As you may have heard on our radio show, we have decided to throw caution to the wind and hire an Aupair! 

You may be asking yourself, "What exactly is an Aupair?"An Aupair is a young person from another country who lives with you and helps with childcare responsibilities in exchange for room and board. 

    The reason I say we threw "caution to the wind" is that, before your Aupair arrives at your home in the US, you have never officially met face to face! Sure you have Skyped a million times and asked eight thousand get to know you questions, but you never REALLY know how someone will fit into your family until you cohabitate together.

   I can't begin to tell you all the things going through my head Friday afternoon as I drove to Charlotte Douglas International airport to pick up Elena. My palms were sweaty, my mind raced, and my heart fluttered. I couldn't place what I was feeling.

   As I walked into baggage claim holding my "Welcome Elena" sign and matching balloons, I was greeted by a thin blonde Italian girl with a warm smile. She gave me a huge hug and almost immediately my nerves subsided and transformed into excitement.

   On our drive home, Elena and I caught up over her week spent in NYC at Aupair training school where she was emergency and CPR certified while learning about life in the US. 

   Once Elena settled into our home we introduced her to baby Cash. He was instantly intrigued by her. This was especially relieving since Cashton doesn't always take to new people. 

   As the weekend continued on, Cash seemed to favor Elena. They chased each other, colored and watched cartoons together. Elena graciously jumped into her responsibilities as our new Aupair. She was eager to learn feeding and bathtime routines and even cooked for our family Sunday night. 

   After a weekend of bonding with our family, I am confidently hopeful that Elena will love Cash and life here in the US. I know things will not always be easy as there will be a learning curve as well as times Elena will feel homesick but we will try to work through things together, as a family. 

   Now that you have heard the tale of our weekend, here are the details to a fun look to get you through the week! I have received many messages about this pink fringed sweater from Vici and I've thoughtfully paired this vibrant look with a pair of dark skinny jeans and white booties. To polish off this ensemble I went with a pair of earrings from Fabrik Birkdale and my favorite Valentino bag.  

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Nanny Fails and Fringe

Yes, I know it's only Tuesday but WHEW... What a week! You guys know I share a lot of my life with you all and I feel like I write about this ad nauseam a ton but if I have to do one more flipping nanny interview I might scream!!!

Since April we have been in nanny limbo. Our long-time nanny took a leave of absence for an illness in her family and we loved her so much that we tried to wait for her return, just covering where we could. However, lately, that has added an abnormal about of stress to our lives and careers. Thus, we decided we needed to bring someone on board. 

Since then I have done close to fifty phone interviews and over a dozen in-person meetings. Yet, every time I find someone I like and they hear the words "five am" they run for the hills. I even had a VERY unprofessional experience with a girl who accepted the job and TEXTED me twelve hours before her first shift to cancel.

As you can imagine, I saw red! I thought, "What a selfish thing to do". Come to find out she had accepted two jobs and was probably afraid to tell me. Now, I am a very understanding person if you are upfront with me but the way it was handled was unacceptable. The kicker was that I kept asking her throughout the process if she was still okay with the early start and she proceeded to say "yes" every time! I gave her every opportunity to come clean, so I felt blindsided.

I won't lie to you this process has put an undue amount of stress on myself, my radio career and our marriage. I know we will get through this and find someone amazing for our son but there have definitely been times when I have laid in bed crying because I thought I was going to have to quit my job. 

This may sound cliche but I am a huge believer that you can have it all, but you're going to have to work your ass off to do it! One of my favorite quotes is "Hard work beats talent, when talent won't work harder", so I'll just keep chugging away until I find a solution to our situation. (Shameless plug if you have nanny experience and would like to apply, email me here.) 

In the meantime, here is an adorable new arrival look that will dress up your fall wardrobe from Page 6 Boutique in Fort Mill. (You can also order online here!) I LOVE this off the shoulder Madam sweater in grey! I personally love it styled oversized and I am wearing a medium in the photos. 

This stylish sweater goes great with this suede fringe skirt and black booties! I paired this look with a Page 6 necklace and my favorite Chanel handbag to be able to take this look from day to night! 

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Red Hot Sale Alert

I am not ready to give up red, even if Christmas is over! 

I found this amazing Free People pullover sweater right around the holiday at Nordstrom. However, I just realized it is on sale at Revolve as well! 

Of course, since this velvet dream is almost $80 off right now, I had to share it with you! This pullover has a unique look with dropped sleeves that are to die for! Free People always gets it right! I just love their stuff. 

I paired this red merlot sweater with my new Bauble Bar earrings, a pair of medium washed jeans from Fab'rik Birkdale and these showstopping booties! 

It's funny. I laugh every time I wear them because I hated my white boots when I cheered for the Miami Dolphins but now they are so in style! 

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Cyber Monday Fun

Good Morning! Of course it is! It's CYBER MONDAY!!!!!

I am sure everyone is sitting in front of their computers today with a cup of coffee searching for the best deals on the internet. 

Well while you're trying to get the best deal on that 65" TV you've had your eye on grab yourself this cozy sweater too! 

We are in the best part of sweater weather! It's chilly enough for a cozy sweater but not cold enough yet where we are covering it up with a puffer coat! 

You need a sweater like this in your closet! It might be the softest sweater I have ever owned, and this whole look (minus the purse) is from Page 6 Boutique. The jeans are true to size by Just Black and the Sam Edelman heels are a great neutral to mix and match throughout any season. 

Plus Page 6 is celebrating Cyber Monday with 25% all day! Of course, they ship so shop online or call the store! 

Photo credit: Cindy Lauren Photography 

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Black Friday at fab'rik Birkdale

HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!

I know you crazies are already out and about, but while your running around shopping for everyone on your list, swing by fab'rik Birkdale for yourself! 

They are doing 30% off from open to close today and they will have giveaways for the first 50 customers! Yesterday's whole look and today's skirt, sweater, necklace and earrings are all from fab'rik Birkdale!

I paired this look with my Tory Burch bucket bag and Stuart Weitzman "Highland" over the knee boots! 

Okay, kids! Have fun! Since I did most of my shopping online last night, I am off to a spinning class and then to South Carolina to get our enormous Christmas tree from Penland Farms!  

Stay tuned! 

Partner News.

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Holiday Must Have

We're just 2 weeks away from the craziness that is "the most wonderful time of the year" and with that comes a slew of holiday parties! Starting December 1 most of us will have at least three-holiday parties to attend this year. Don't get caught off guard.

I went out and made sure I had a couple staples in my wardrobe so these events don't creep up on me!

I came up with "Four Holiday MUST HAVES":

1) A great red holiday sweater! I went with a couture sleeve to make it a little special.

2) A versatile skirt to mix and match with everything. How cool is this quilted faux leather skirt I found from BCBG?

3) A classic pair of neutral pumps. I decided to splurge on these since they really NEVER go out of style!

4) Another splurge of mine but this bag literally goes with everything. Whenever you find the perfect bag that has silver AND gold in it BUY IT!

Happy Monday!

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Peak Week

     

It's here! This is "peak week" for the autumn colors in Charlotte! How pretty are these fall shades against this magnificent background?

I had the pleasure of shooting with the amazing Cindy Lauren Photography this week to collaborate on this epic scene.

If you're looking for an ideal dressy casual look I think I found it! This beautiful ruffle cold shoulder sweater is from Nordstrom by BP and it pairs perfectly with this mustard Blue Blush skort from Page 6! (available instore only)

I love the look of skirts but I always feel a little insecure in them. I'm not that tall but I do have pretty long legs so when I saw skorts making a come back I was the most excited!

This outfit goes great with a pair of over the knee boots and a casual clutch! I paired it with a pair of Dolce Vita boots and a Tory Burch clutch, but you can always get creative. The necklace is a piece I picked up from Fabrik online!

Hope you "fall" in love with this look too!

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