Third Day Hair Social Media and Debute

You already know it's happening, but I'm here to make it official.

High Heeled Mama is turning over to Third Day Hair...this Monday!  That's just a few short days away (can you even take the excitement?), at which time a redirect will be put into place to guide all of my lovelies (that's you!) to the new space.

I surely hope to see you all there!  

If you follow me on any of my social media (please do!), then you may already know that I've done some switching over and renaming... twitter, instagram, pinterest, and facebook will all be called Third Day Hair now, as well as Bloglovin'.

Don't follow me yet?  No problem...the new site will make it easy to do so with icons at the top of the page.  But in case you're as eager as I am, you can do so here....now...

Check it out:

 https://www.facebook.com/ThirdDayHair

http://instagram.com/thirddayhair

https://twitter.com/thirddayhair

http://www.pinterest.com/3rddayhair/

((Please note...facebook has yet to change the title, it will be corrected in just under two weeks...and pinterest has yet to have any boards created, but will be creating some awesome follow worthy stuff this weekend))

So go ahead and click through and follow all and I will see you again Monday morning on a new site with a fresh take...

Happy weekend lovelies!!

 www.thirddayhair.com

((if you visit, don't judge...it's still a work in progress.  The new posts will be live Monday the 25th.  I am including this address to ensure that all my bloglovin' followers can follow me there, too, when the time comes!))

Before And After: Kitchen

To the dismay of some of you, I was adamant that I not show after pictures of the house without first showing the befores.

I also didn't want to show the befores without having any afters.

So, after working diligently for just over two weeks, among many other little projects within the house, the kitchen is the first room completely finished.

Sure, there's always more to do...but for right now?  It. Is. Done.

Thanks to my dad in law and awesome hubby, all three light fixtures were replaced, an over-the-stove microwave was added, appliances were installed, the sink was swapped out, the faucet is brand spanking new, and even the door knobs were all changed out.

Here she is, kids, my pride and joy...the center of our home!

Before and After...side by side for a full visual comparison in all of their unedited glory!!:

Before:

 After:

And now, just the afters if you please:

 

 Decorations wise, there's still lots to do.  In fact, I haven't even unpacked most of our wall decor...for any of the rooms!  But as far as this chaotic house and long moving in process goes?  Kitchen. Is. Done!!!

Watchya think?

ALSO: Don't forget the $1000 cash giveaway is still going on...but we're winding down!  Roll the dice and enter to win!

AND: If you haven't heard (how could you not have heard?) HHM is re-branding!  Third Day Hair is COMING SOON and it is going to be BEYOND.

STAY TUNED!!

High Heeled Mama is RE-BRANDING

It's finally happened...I've grown out of my own shoes.

And I loved these shoes.

Ultimately, though, it's time for HHM to make the transition to a new title, a new domain, and a new way of posting.  My hope is to do this as smoothly as possible, and without losing the interest of my faithful friends and followers who have supported HHM all along!

It has meant so much to me, this little blog of mine, but after a year of working on my "blogging voice" and exploring my own creativity, I've decided that the shoe just no longer fits.

And for once, I'm not going to cram my foot in to wear it!

Here's the thing...I wanted us all to make a fresh start together.  I wanted my move to coincide with the web change, and I wanted a seamless transition with minimal effort.

Yea right.

I'm already a week behind on my new blog's debut and not a step closer, either.

Well, maybe a step.  I have purchased a new domain, and decided on the new title.  Wanna know what it is?  Patience, my dears.

Anyways, it's not like I haven't been thinking, planning, photographing, and writing bloggy things...I just have no place to post them at the moment.  They wouldn't fit in here on this page...and I want the new page to start with enough material to really showcase it's fresh appeal, and hopefully make y'all wanna come along for the ride.

Okay, so what's the name?  I'll give you a hint, I've said the phrase multiple times on here (and even more so in my real life), and I pretty much live the phrase twice a week.  

Ready?

Third Day Hair

It's exactly what it needs to be.  Unique.  Catchy.  Personal to me and my life.   

Soon, soon I'll have a blog site for you to visit for all the fashion, creativity, and art you can handle.  For now?  How about if I satisfy you with some before and after shots of the new crib?  Maybe some updates on the who's who and what's what in the daily happenings around here?

Something.

Anything!

Thanks so much for your patience and support.  I hope to continue seeing your bright and shining faces around here, around there...basically anywhere!

Smooches!  

Go!Sac Review and Giveaway

As promised, I wanted to keep you busy with a little giveaway...it might not be all that fashionable, but you can't argue that it's not functional!

And who doesn't want something handy and practical?

So, if you're like me, then you never really had a true diaper bag.  I was adamant that I could fit everything I needed into an over sized purse. 

 Fashion over function.

And I did okay...until the babe grew and our outings went from a run to the store to a morning at the park or an afternoon on the beach, and I realized I didn't want my Steve Madden over sized bag to have grass stains on it or end up full of sand.

Bummer.

Thank goodness for Go!Sac products, which are created to be functional and durable.  And when you're done with them?  They are created to all but disappear...

Case in point...last week, the hubs and I went on a date (for the first time in months...MONTHS...I might add) and when I needed to pack up my girl's necessities to spend a few hours with the sitter, I immediately reached for my carry all.  

It had been stored neatly.  That's saying a lot considering our house is currently in disarray.  But there it lay, cute, compact, taking up a mere five inches of space.

But when I opened it and began shoving just the "must haves" inside, I was astounded by the amount of room it had inside.  We went from just needing her dinner, jammies, and diapers, to her dinner, jammies, diapers, two stuffed animals, a blankie, a favorite book, a couple of toys, and the ipad on which she could watch her beloved "turtles".

It all fit. 

And there was room to spare.

Don't take my word for it, get your own and test it out.  I can tell you this, the design is simple and meant to fulfill a need.  Plus, I wouldn't hesitate to drag this bad boy to any number of ourdoor locations...knowing it would last and hold all of my many "gotta have" items.

Not a fan of the carry all design?

How about the backpack?

Or is the duffel bag more your style?

Or maybe it's the tote that your after?

Whichever your personal style may be, the choice is yours... shape, color, you pick.  All you have to do to win it is enter in the giveaway.

So, what are you waiting for?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Cash Giveaway with Raising Reagan!!!

What would you do with an extra $1000 to spend this holiday season? How about I make the answer to that question a little easier with your chance to win $1000 cash in the Christmas Cash Giveaway event! Thanks to some amazing supporters of Raising Reagan and some all around awesome bloggers and shops, we were able to come together collectively with a CASH PRIZE of $1000!

And who do we have to thank for this amazing cash prize? Meet your phenomenal co-hosts!

From Top Left:

Sara | Confessions of a Redheaded Mama ♥ Angel | Sew Crafty Angel

Sarah | Life in a Break Down ♥ Krystal | My Life of Travels and Adventures

Dara | Not in Jersey ♥ Anna | Cuddlebug Cuties

Alex | Munchkins and the Military ♥ Rebecca | A Day in the Life of Calleigh Emma

Josi | That Suburban Momma ♥ Dawn | Dawn's Disaster

Kera | Nugget on a Budget ♥ Debra | Deliciously Inspired

Janine | Confessions of a Mommyaholic ♥ Cathy | A Peek into My Paradise

And let's not forget to thank the other blogs and shops that have sponsored this giveaway! Please be sure and stop by and thank them for such a phenomenal giveaway.

Our amazing participants:

Holly | Back Home Again Blog ♥ Rachel | Sultry Indulgences ♥ Sandy | Mother of Imperfection ♥ Katie | He Calls Me Grace ♥ Anyonita | Anyonita Nibbles ♥ Tiffani | Tiffani Goff at Home ♥ Natasha | Serenity You ♥ Natalie | At Home with the Hinkleys ♥ Renee | Getting Fit Fab ♥ Noel | High Heeled Mama ♥ Alison | NYC Recessionista ♥ {Enjoy the View} ♥ Brittnei | Homemaking with Style ♥ 2 Crochet Hooks ♥ Jamie | Handling with Grace ♥ Leslie | Violet Imperfection ♥ Jamie | Love Bakes Good Cakes ♥ Lisa | Chronically Content ♥ Jenn | Bad Luck Jenn ♥ Jodi | The Noise of Boys ♥ Monica | Redefining Mom ♥ Ann Marie | Growing Up Madison ♥ Michelle | A Little Moore From My Kitchen ♥ Wanda Ann | Memories By the Mile ♥ Angie | God's Growing Garden ♥ Nichi | The Mandatory Mooch ♥ Deb | Kneaded Creations ♥ Jeanie |Create and Babble ♥ Kristin | Dizzy Busy and Hungry ♥ Tina | Classic Children's Books ♥ West Street Story ♥ Betty | Losing My Gut and Gaining My Insanity ♥ Natasha | Lovely You Blog ♥ Evelyn | My Turn for Us ♥ Laura | The Rookie Cook ♥ Parenting With Parents ♥ Beth | The First Year Blog ♥ Ida | Second Chances Girl ♥ Glenneth | Let's Talk and Walk ♥ Katy |Experienced Bad Mom ♥ Melissa | Dreams and Colours ♥ Learn Like a Mom ♥ Sarah | Girlfriends Are Like Shoes ♥ Andi | The Weary Chef ♥ Tamara | Tamara (Like) Camera ♥ Melissa | Deliciously Savvy ♥ Brooke | Wide Open Spaces ♥ Barb | Second Chance to Dream ♥ Koren | My Full Time Fit Life ♥ Spit and Sparkles ♥ Tiffany | Daydreaming Realist ♥ April | 100lb Countdown ♥ Monica | Happy and Blessed Home ♥ Reagan's Toy Chest

Now you know the players! Are you ready to win some CASH? It's the kickoff of Holiday Season and we are celebrating with a

$1000 Giveaway!

Please read the official rules of all sweepstakes and contests held at Raising Reagan.

Giveaway is open worldwide to participants with a verified PayPal account.

All entries will be verified. In the event an entry can not be verified participant chooses to forfeit that entry and another winner will be chosen.

Winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email.

Giveaway will run from November 1st, 12 AM Eastern Time to November 22nd, 12 AM Eastern Time

Any taxes or fees associated with the winnings of this contest are the sole responsibility of the winner according to their county, state and/or country laws.

CASH prize is in US Dollars and will not be converted to any foreign currency.

Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fare Thee Well, Charleston!

I knew it would happen.  Despite how long it seemed to be taking, how many days stood between me and my eventual home, how many hours that seemed to drag on and on as I packed boxes and cleaned out drawers, it has finally arrived.

It's leaving time.

Excitement, I predicted.

Anxiousness, I've had for months.

But nervousness?  A trace of fear?  A touch of sadness?

Those are feelings I wasn't expecting.

I'm nervous.  I'm nervous that it's going to take me forever to learn the roads, the way from here to there, the path to my dentist, my doctor, my neighborhood park.  Just kidding, I already know how to get to the park.  Some things take top priority, afterall.  Still, jokes aside, it's a little nerve wracking. 

What if I want to take Raegan to the beach?  I don't know how to get there.  What if I want to go to the mall?  I'm not accustomed to "inner city" driving...

I'm afraid.  I'm afraid that I won't make friends right away.  I'm afraid that when Travis reports for duty in December, our lives will change forever.  I'm afraid that I won't be able to find a suitable hairdresser to maintain the platinum locks I've come to love and adore!  I BETTER FIND A GOOD HAIR STYLIST!!!

I'm sad.  I'm sad that we're leaving the only home Raegan has ever known.  The house where she took her first steps, said her first word, came home to for the first time.  I'm sad that, for the second time in my life, I have to leave people that I care about behind.  I've finally made some real, true bonds and just like that, I'm gone.  if there's one thing I've learned living down here, so far from hometown family and friends, it's that life often makes it difficult to maintain the relationships you wish you could more consistently keep up with.

As I said goodbye (or, see ya later as she likes to remind me) to my friend after dinner Monday night, it really hit me.  This would be the last time I would be seeing her, at least for a long while.  ThIS would be the last time I would be standing in a parking lot in North Charleston after a late meal and a couple of martinis.  If you think I didn't twirl and wave and shout good-bye and good riddance, then you're wrong.  But I did hug my friend, and feel a touch of sadness.

These feelings I'm experiencing though, are minor and insignificant when I compare them to the big picture and all that is waiting for my family and myself.  A home.  Walls, unshared by neighbors.  A yard, fenced in space for my baby to play safely.  Rooms, plenty of rooms, to spread out in.  A new and exciting way of life.  A new house, a new neighborhood, a new city.

New hobbies.  New favorite places.  New experiences.

A new bed.

A new closet.

A new kitchen with new appliances.

New.

A new chapter.

A new story.

A new me.

A new us.

A new blog.

Fare thee well Charleston, and all that we've come to know.

This is my goodbye to all of you, as well, at least for the time being.  I need to focus on this adventure.  I need to gather my thoughts and ideas.  I need to come back to High Heeled Mama with a new take, because I can't exactly go full throttle into all this newness if I'm dragging the same old style along with me.  I'm considering an entire revamp, including changing the name.  It's an idea I've been toying with for some time now, and it comes with many pros and cons...but I'm almost sure that if I'm ever going to do it, now is the time!

I hope you'll all consider following my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HighHeeledMama 

Although I won't be updating posts here, I will be keeping you in the loop with updates and happenings on facebook... 

But I won't leave you empty handed!  Monday I'll start a new and final giveaway (at least the final one for a while), so make sure you're stopping back to check it out!!

Hang in there, and don't forget about me!  I'm already itching to launch my "new look", and I haven't even bid fare thee well to this one yet.  


 

 

Memories Last Forever

I recently read that this season's newest must have accessory is a camera.

That makes me right on trend.

Happily.

So, I figured out something that I will for sure miss about good ol' Charleston...low key moments on this beach in the off season.

Good thing memories last forever, even after you move away!

Jamberry Nails Review

In case you haven't noticed, the latest and craziest (if you ask me) obsession in the fashion world is nail art.

People are insane with the things that they design on the world's tiniest canvas.

I admire them, I really do, but I haven't the luxury of time, patience, or a steady hand in order to partake in this trend.  

Thank goodness for companies like Jamberry Nails, eh?  For those of us who absolutely cannot paint their nails to save their lives?  Surely I'm not alone...

If you're interested in what Jamberry Nails can do you for you, in terms of beginning a career with the successful company, I urge you to contact Dawn Clark via the above link or through her face book page www.facebook.com/pdawncjams.  

If you're interested in what Jamberry Nails can do for your tired, boring, somehwat chewed up nails, I urge you to check out the photos below.

Step one: collect the necessary tools- scissors, a hair dryer, a file, a cuticle pusher, and alcohol pad, and your choice of Jamberry Nail design.

Clean your nails with the alcohol pad and push back your cuticles.

Step two: decide which size you need for which nail (each "sticker" is enough for two nails, there are two rows of varied sized "stickers") and heat with the dryer for a few seconds.  Apply to nail, secure edges with cuticle pusher, and snip off any excess.

Step three: file, with downward motion, the ends of your nails to eliminate any of the excess sticker the scissors left behind.  Blast it once more for a few seconds and presto, your nail is decorated.

I was sent a green feather design to try out, which looks sort of camo from afar.  It actually worked better than I had expected, and once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy to apply.

And remember, this is coming from someone who does not paint her nails ever because she basically can't without getting polish down to her knuckles.

Final thoughts?  You still need to like doing nails to like doing these.  Though it was less messy, less time consuming, and less precise than drawing those feathers on by hand... it still was more time than I like to devote, and more precise than I like to be.  That being said, I know there are tons of YOU out there who actually love the process of doing your nails.  To those of you, I think you should check these out.

They're legit.  They've been featured in renowned magazines such as Marie Claire and Nylon.  So what are you waiting for?

What's more?  Independent consultant Dawn Clark is hostessing an online party, where you can earn yourself entries to be drawn for host rewards on October 31st (think freebies)!  Wanna know more about that?  Go here.

Questions about my application?  Leave 'em in the comments.  Questions about anything else, contact Dawn!  

A Classic Twist

Though it's hard for me to remember right now, there was a time when my space and life was not dominated by moving boxes...and my clothes were hanging happily in the closet instead of folded and packed and forgotten.

It was a good time in my life.  And it was actually only like a week ago.

I recently read that there is nothing as classic, as versatile, and as Parisian chic as a blue and white striped shirt.  I would agree with this sentiment.

In fact, I'm sure if you did some scrolling and some searching, you could find an outfit similar to this one at some point in my blogging career...it's a goodie.  

There is a no fail formula:

dark wash skinnies

blue and white 3/4 sleeve striped top

knee high boots

Classic stripes, like my shirt, are also the easiest way to mix prints.  So if you're looking to take a sophisticated classic up a notch, add a floral print scarf and bag with a pop of color.

This look is so simple and so refined.

Shirt: Forever21

Jeans:  American Eagle

Boots: Chinese Laundry

Scarf: Charlotte Russe 

How do you wear your stripes?

 

Cold Day on the Beach

I may be one of those select few people who actually prefers the beach when it's off season and cooler weather.  Of course, I'll take the cooler weather anytime I can get it around here, you know that.

Playing on the beach with Rae was fun...mostly because I got to sit there, blanket over my lap and coffee in my hands, while she ran around and tired herself out.  From time to time, I put down my Dunkin Donuts p-spice heaven in a cup, and picked up my camera to record my baby's amazing smile!

We were able to kill a couple of hours that morning...but we weren't so successful a couple of days later when I convinced the hubs to take Raegan and myself back there for another cool morning.  Mostly because it wasn't cool at all and we were sadly overdressed.  I did, however, manage to get some cool pics of that day as well that I'll be sharing throughout the week.

Things are getting so chaotic and stressful here, as we count down our final days to moving.  Boxes, bags, junk is everywhere in our house.  You can't move without tripping over something.  Every room has been reduced in size because of the containers that are lining the walls, taking up our space.  

I don't want to put this blog on the back burner, but soon I'm not going to have any choice.  This will be my last week of blogging for a couple of weeks, I know you can understand why other things have to take precedence.  Not to mention all of my clothes and beloved shoes are packed and just waiting for me to rediscover them in our new home.  Unfortunately a fashion blog isn't much good to anyone without any fashion infused in it's pages!

Thanks for the support during this transition...I see great things in the future for High Heeled Mama, I won't leave you hanging for long!

Autumn Check List

Have you ever heard the term "days pass slowly, years pass quickly"?  That is exactly what has happened this past year.  I blinked.  And it's practically gone.

Sometimes I get so worried that I'm not taking in enough, remembering enough, recording enough.  I'm so terrified by the prospect of missing a second of Raegan's childhood that I often find myself watching it behind a camera.  I know this isn't exactly the best way to participate, but I feel lost without the possibility of turning a moment into a forever memory.

Still, even when I'm busy living the day to day, taking a million and one pictures of Raegan and myself doing completely mundane things, I find myself thinking that I'm not doing enough.  God forbid Raegan grow up to remember the amount of time she's spent watching tv this month while I try to pack.  It's cringe worthy to say the least.

So, having been inspired by a fellow blogger (and do stop on over to A Lazy Crazy Life, Becky's a doll), I've decided to make myself an Autumn check list as a means of ensuring that we often sometimes break ourselves away from the blah blah blah and get some real living done.

With my camera of course.

Autumn Check List 2013

-visit a pumpkin patch

-go on a hay ride

-carve a pumpkin, or at least decorate one

-go through a corn maze

-bake pumpkin cookies (for our neighbors)

-eat candy corn

-watch Hocus Pocus

-rake leaves to jump in

-go to a bonfire, eat s'mores

-wear matching "ugg" boots with my girly

-go for a kid friendly hike

-go to the beach in pants, sweaters, and a blanket

-make a bird feeder

-wear all of my knee high socks

-get Raegan some knee high socks

-drink apple cider

-Make a "hand" craft with Rae for Halloween and Thanksgiving

-visit the zoo in the cool weather

-go apple picking

-get fall family photos

-enjoy every cool breeze, every rain drop, every cloudy day
-spend a cloudy day on the beach

Nothing crazy, obviously, but it's a nice gesture!

What's number one on your autumn check list? 

 

 

Now & Then: Dress Over Pants

There's this thing happening all over the runways lately, reminiscent of course of those 90's we all loved and adored, involving dresses and pants.

Together.

Do you remember when that was cool?  Is there not some sort of excitement associated with a trend when you can remember its origin?  

I find it thrilling.

What I don't find thrilling, is seeing people wear dresses over pants.

Normally.

If you're dying for the early nineties (and I dare say the late eighties), then by all means jump into this look head first!

The only way I can justify wearing a dress with pants is if the dress is too short on its own, and the pants are actually leggings.

80's child indeed.

Now:

 This dress is Topshop, thrifted for around $11.  These capri leggings were on sale for $4.50 when I nabbed them.  And these Michael Michael Kors pumps were a mere $29.99 at Ross.

Talk about an inexpensive albeit trendy ensemble!

Then:

To take this outfit into cooler weather (i.e. when I move to Virginia in a couple short weeks!), I added boots and a track jacket to the same dress and leggings.  This jacket hits a couple trending motifs currently...the striped bands lends itself to the varsity jacket look that is all the rage (especially when paired with dressier items).  Can you say Bayside High?  If you do not think of "Saved by the Bell" when you think of varsity jacket, then I have no words for you.  

It's also playing up the doctored up sweatshirt thing that is, thankfully, a fun modern take on comfort.  Leopard print sweatshirt?  Yes please.

Are you feeling either trend?  How would you wear this dress?

Just a quick thought on trends... I love being trendy, I love knowing what's trendy, and I love scouring my closet every season for ways to update and utilize my wardrobe.  That's just me.  I don't by any means adore and attempt every single trend ever (hello wedge sneakers and neon...and I totes avoided that whole harem pant moment, even though I'm all over the relaxed fit of today's bottoms).  I just think it's fun to try the trends that "speak to me", and to see what I can come up with.


There is a quote I adore and live by:  "Fashion is what you buy.  Style is what you do with it."

I buy fashion and I buy into fashion...which is probably why you have this blog to read.

I totally agree with the idea that not every trend is for every person.  I believe the experts throw stuff out there, and we just grab what we like.  

So, grab what you like.  Wear what you like.  After all, with a little cockiness confidence, you can rock anything!

Pumpkin Patch: Part Two

Simply because I could not cram all of the day's cuteness into one measly post, and also because I worked so hard on editing these photos, I am dedicating another day to the fun we had on Friday morning.

Don't be angry, outfit hungry gremlins of mine...there's a picture of my super casual ensemble at the very end.

And in case you didn't notice, my daughter is wearing the world's most adorable pair of Osh Kosh overalls.  I want to bottle up her scrumptious-ness!!

This is the day I live for in the fall.  Pumpkins.  Corn mazes.  Hayrides.  And you just know we came home with some apple cider, yum!

Happy fall, y'all!

Now...onto the festival of lights for Christmas!!  Just kidding...kind of.