Hello mama’s,

Today is Small Business Saturday, time to get out there and support a small, local business.  It’s a great way to give back to the community and have some fun while you’re at it.

Most of us look for the best deal or price during the holiday season at a big box retailer, but it is important to remember the small, local stores. These local shops often sell items made by local artisans, crafters and bakers. Also, smaller businesses are likely to sell products made here in the U.S.A. Good luck finding products made in the good old U.S.A. at Target or Wal-Mart, you’re more likely to find a pot-of-gold!

My plan of attack? I plan on stopping by a local business called, “The Hoot.” (see picture below) They have unique gifts and toys. If you’re struggling with gift ideas for the family, stop by. They truly have something for everyone.

http://www.hootgifts.com/

We will also be purchasing our Christmas tree from Scott’s Tree Farm in Andover, CT. They grow the trees right on the property and you and the family can go out and find your perfect tree. They also offer daily specials and dog’s are welcome – woof! It’s a beautiful drive and you’ll pass by Munson’s Chocolates on the way – delish!

http://www.ctchristmastree.org/CandH/russell.html

So get out there and shop till you drop. Pay it forward and support your local businesses. Your community will thank you.

Happy Shopping!

Alison

Well ladies, we did it, traveled to Florida with a 2-month-old. Many of my friends and family questioned how this experience might go, but I have to say, it wasn’t bad at all!

I’m sure many of you will be traveling for the upcoming holidays, therefore I thought this post may be appropriate as today is the most busy travel day of the year, Thanksgiving Eve.

Here are my tips and tricks to airline travel with a baby. This guide will help you through the preparation, process and flight.

1. Children under 2 years of age can fly on mommy’s lap. That’s right, no need to pay for an extra seat. The airline will require a proof of age for the baby, so make sure you bring a birth certificate or medical paperwork that displays the baby’s age.

2. Call the airline prior to flight. They will need to register the baby as a passenger. They will also review their specific rules and regulations with you.

3. Pack pre-mixed formula / breast milk in your carry-on. The baby will likely get hungry before / during / after the flight. Make sure you pack plenty of formula or breast milk for your little one. I purchased the Similac pre-mixed bottles. (see below) This made the process hassle free. Also, airport security allows milk, formula and water for mother’s carrying a child. They will check your bag but it is allowed, so allow extra time for security.

4. Feed the baby prior to take off. This will give the baby a full belly and they will likely sleep throughout most of the flight. (Hunter slept the entire way and people were amazed) If you don’t have time to feed the baby prior to take off, feed them during take off, this will help with the ear popping.

5. The flight attendants are there to help – use them. We were very lucky, on both flights we had the sweetest flight attendants that were extremely helpful. They know how stressful it can be to travel with a baby. If you need something for your little one, just ask.

6. Don’t forget the Purell wipes! Brian and I wiped down everything and I mean EVERYTHING with Purell wipes. These wipes kill 99.9 % of germs and Hunter, mom and dad are all happy and healthy. No one wants a sick baby, especially on vacation, so every little bit helps. We also avoided using the bathrooms on the plane as they often do not get cleaned in between flights – yuck!

7. Remember, sit back and try to relax. The baby feeds off your energy. Of course there will be people on board who will rolls their eyes at the sight of the baby…don’t let them bug you. If your baby starts to cry, take a deep breath and try to calm them down. Breathe in…breathe out, you can do it, mama! Most people on board are very understanding. My logic is, I have been the passenger with the screaming baby behind me many times, now it’s my turn.

Most importantly, safe travels to all! It is Thanksgiving and I am most thankful for my beautiful family. I hope all my beautiful followers have an amazing day with their families.

Xoxo,

Alison

Black Turtle Neck (Consignment)
Watch – Coach Outlet
Skirt – Bob’s Store
Scarf – Forever 21
Earrings – Target
Black Knee Boots – eBay

Having a child is like taking on a luxury car payment…EXPENSIVE! Once upon a time, my rainy day fund went toward shoes, clothes, handbags, accessories, mani’s / pedi’s, weekend get-a-ways. Now it’s spent on formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, toys…oy vey!

But as a fashionista, I didn’t want to give up my little splurges. So I found a way to find stylish looks for less.

My Sunday Look-For-Less (As seen above)

Here are some of my tips to shopping on a budget for both mama & baby:

– Coupons, coupons, coupons! Sign up for coupons either in your favorite store or online. Retailers send me monthly coupons through the mail or via email. The following retailers send me coupons monthly: DSW, Nordstrom, Kohls, Victoria’s Secret, Bob’s, Babies-R-Us, Carter’s. I save hundreds of dollars a year shopping with coupons.

-Promo Codes: Most retailers online offer promo codes to entice shoppers. Promo codes are virtual coupons. Many offer deals like free shipping or 10% off your first order. If you don’t see a promo code offered on the home page of the retailer’s site, I simply Google search promo codes for that company and apply the promo code at check out.

-eBay. Yes, eBay. You would not believe how many steals & deals I get off of eBay. As an executive assistant, I wear a lot of dresses, suits and heels. I like to purchase outfits I can wear both in and out of the office. The dress below was an eBay STEAL. It’s a Victoria’s Secret Leopard dress that retails in the catalog for $88.00 plus the $12.99 shipping / tax. I only paid $14.99 for the dress and $4.99 for shipping. The dress is brand new with the tags still attached. It’s true what they say, one man’s loss is another man’s treasure.

Brand New Victoria’s Secret Leopard Dress – $14.99 on eBay

– Consignment; I LOVE shopping in consignment stores. It’s like going on a treasure hunt  and you pay a fraction of the retail price. Consignment stores offer clothing, household items, jewelry, baby items, handbags & accessories and so much more. You can also turn it into a day of fun! My girlfriend maps out the local consignment shops in our area and goes shopping with her friends. You splurge and save at the same time – without the guilt of paying department store prices. A lot of the items still have the tags on them – score!

Black Leather Moto Jacket – $12.00
Peplum Top – $8.00

Happy Shopping! <3

Alison

Greetings, mama’s,

Welcome to my site. I’m a Mama-in-Heels from Connecticut. And, well, this year was a year of milestones. I turned the BIG 30 and became a mama in September.  This is my opportunity to share my life experiences as a new mom, while juggling a career, an active family and a busy social life – all in high heels, of course! I will also be sharing my tips and tricks to surviving motherhood. So pour yourself a martini, sit back and enjoy!

Cheers,

Alison