Hi Mama’s,

Life gets crazy, doesn’t it? The days seem to race by. Between juggling motherhood, a career, family time and a personal life there is little time for chores. And who really wants to do them anyway. But allowing time for the simple things can help eliviate some of our daily stress which equals a happy mama. (Happy Wife = Happy Life)

Right before bedtime :)

Here are some things I like to do during the work week about 30-minutes before bed. This routine helps prepare me for the next day and also helps me to relax before bedtime.

1. Turn off your phone. I admit it, I am addicted to my phone and I hate it. I’m constantly checking work related emails, text messages and social media sites when I get home from work. But family time comes first and everyone else can wait. This is your time to relax and unwhind without interruption.

2. Your gym bag – PACK IT! There are so many mornings I have missed out on the gym simply because I did not have time to pack my gym bag. Well, now I simply pack it the night before and take it with me to work. My company provides us with an amazing gym and I intend to take full advantage. Take your time packing your bag, make sure you have everything you need. Your health is your wealth, without it, you have NOTHING.

My HUGE gym bag.

3. Throw in a load of laundry. I try and keep up with the never ending heap of clothes by doing a load each night. There is nothing worse then spending your weekends doing laundry and other various house chores. Do yourself a favor and do it! You will thank me.

4. Read your little one a story. Hunter received so many different books and they are my most treasured gifts. Reading helps make both mommy and baby sleepy.

Hunter, almost 4 months old.

5. Run the dishwasher. There is nothing worse then a sink full of dirty dishes from last night’s dinner. I used to be guilty of piling up the sink. (I know mom, you taught me better then that.) Now I make a habit of running the dish washer at least 5 nights a week. The kitchen always looks clean and I don’t have to stare at a messy sink as I enjoy my morning coffee.

Just a few tips from me to you to make life a little easier!

Have a WONDERFUL week.

xo,

Alison

Happy Monday,

Today is bittersweet. On one hand, it’s my last day of maternity leave and an opportunity to snuggle with my little one all day. On the other hand, tomorrow comes too soon and I’ll be dropping him off at daycare in less then 24-hours.

Snuggles all Day!

Gah, I cannot believe my maternity leave is over. Nothing prepares you for this, nothing. It all goes by so fast, like a dream. But I knew this was never going to be my reality. And I also know I am not alone. I know millions of other women have had to do the same thing, but it just doesn’t feel fair. As a woman and now a mother, it just doesn’t feel natural leaving your little one with someone other then you.

So, let’s face it, there will be tears and I will likely not sleep tonight. But life does go on. And at the end of the day, I am so thankful for my job and a career that I LOVE. My job affords me the lifestyle I lead, pays my bills and provides for Hunter. It is just something I have to do.

Luckily for this mama, I found strength in my girlfriends. They have been my rock through this entire process. I am surrounded by four beautiful, amazing mother’s who kept their careers and juggled motherhood. And we all had babies within two months of each other – how amazing is that? We share stories with each other, (the good, the bad and the ugly) text one another for support and meet for dinner every month or so. Below, meet Team Baby Bump 2014. They are my angels. Hunter is the only boy, all the rest had girls – lucky guy!

Team Baby Bump – L-R
Jennifer, Karen, Erica, Michelle and me :)

So, to all my mama’s out there going back to work soon, just know you are not alone. Find strength in other women who have been there. If they don’t live nearby, pick up the phone and give them a call. And give yourself a pat on the back, you are a warrior, motherhood is a FULLTIME job and your most important role. Try and find a healthy balance between work and family – but know that family comes first!

I would personally like to thank my dear friends Jenn, Michelle, Erica and Karen. You have all been a HUGE support system for this mama. You all are so strong and I admire you in many ways!

HI-HO, HI-HO, IT’S BACK TO WORK I GO…tomorrow. Until then, I will be snuggling my little one.

Ciao,

Alison

Hey Mama’s,

Tonight is the last night of 2014 – can you believe it?! This year flew by for me and I was pregnant for a majority of it. (I will not miss the morning sickness, strange cravings and sleepless nights)

On New Year’s Eve, I like to look back at the year and focus on all of the good. As for the bad stuff, just leave it all in 2014 and move into 2015 renewed and refreshed.

Personally, 2014 has been the best year of my life. My son Hunter has brought me greater joy then I could have ever imagined. Prior to Hunter, my number one focus was my career  and striving to be successful. But now, although my career is still important, it doesn’t compare to my most important role as a MOM!

My greatest joy, Hunter Robert

My New Year’s resolution for 2015 is to find more of a balance in my busy life as a mom, career woman, girlfriend, family member and friend. It is so important to prioritize and keep your life in balance. Whether it is planning play dates for the kiddos, scheduling gym time or making more time for my girlfriends – life balance will be my greatest focus.

But most importantly, take time to enjoy every moment. Life is precious. We are never promised tomorrow.

I wish you all a wonderful New Year! I hope it brings each and everyone of you happiness, love and prosperity!

Xoxo,

Alison

Merry Christmas, Mama’s,

Well, the holiday season is in full swing. Between the shopping, prepping, cooking, baking, decorating, parties, gift giving, you may find yourself feeling tired and exhausted. But fear not, there are simple and easy ways to de-stress from the holidays. You will be back to your fabulous self in no time.

1. Schedule a massage. Our bodies take a hit during the holiday season. It is important to take care of it. Going in for a massage can reduce stress and help any muscle tension we may be experiencing. I know that certain spas can be costly, so I like to purchase massage gift certificates through www.groupon.com. You can find great spa deals for less then half off the normal price.

2. Attend a yoga class. Being a new mom, I do not get to work out nearly as much as I like. However, it is important to make time for health and fitness, even if it isn’t on a weekly basis. Attending a yoga class is good for the mind, body and spirit. It’s a great stress reliever and you have a sense of renewal once finished. Namaste.

3. Pay it forward. A simple act of kindness can change someone’s day. If you are purchasing a beverage through a drive-thru, pay for the car behind you. Someone did this for me on Christmas Eve and it made my day. Their generosity really lightened my mood. Also, giving a compliment to a complete stranger or friend may just make their day and in return make you smile.

4. It is OK to say NO. In the past, I had a problem saying no to people. During the holidays, we are often invited to countless parties and dinner engagements. If you are too busy or exhausted, kindly say no. Sometimes it is just nice to sit home and relax. There will be plenty of more parties to enjoy throughout the year.

5. Schedule a movie night with your family. Watching a movie is a great stress relief. Movies allow us to laugh, cry and take a break from reality. So make some popcorn, put on your pajamas and cuddle up on the couch.

I’d love your feedback on how you de-stress from the holidays! Please send them to me at Alisonleary84@gmail.com

Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!

Xo,

Alison

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