Champagne Wishes, & Caviar Dreams.

2011 is just a blink away!

So, here's a toast to the future, A toast to the past.

A toast to our friends, and what the New Year sends.

Wishing each and every one of you much love and success,

May all your wishes come true, in the 2011.

Happy New Years!

*CHEERS*

Last Minute NYE Appetizers.

The clock is ticking towards the end of the year, and if you're hosting a dinner tonight you might be freaking out about not having enough food. Well fear not lovelies! I found some yummy appetizers you can make last minute courtesy of ourbites.com

Bruschetta: A classic. Light, fresh, easy and delicious.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs or Little Smokies: 3 ingredients, can't beat that!

Roasted Red Pepper Dip: Creamy and cheesy with a little kick.

7-Layer Greek Dip: Amazing dish, sure to be a hit.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls: A huge hit at parties.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Skewers:
One of the very first things to disappear at parties!

BTW, if you're having kiddies at the party I found this great recipe for non-alcoholic punch. Super easy to make.

• 3 1/2 liters ginger ale
• 2 quarts orange juice
• 2 oranges, sliced into rounds
• 20 maraschino cherries

In a large punch bowl mix ginger ale and orange juice. Place sliced oranges on top of punch and arrange the cherries on top of the orange slices.

HAPPY PARTY PLANNING!

2010 School Pictures.

It just dawned on me that I never posted how my daughter's school pictures came out! If you remember, I wrote a few months ago about how excited I was!

I was a little worried though, I'm not going to lie. ESPECIALLY when I found out that she would be taking the pictures in the afternoon instead of first thing in the morning. (CRAP!) Only, if you were with me when I pick her up from school would you understand. Arianna likes girly things, but she can play with the best of them. Her hair is usually a mess and there's a least one stain on her, so you can see why I was a little concerned....

However, I'm happy to report that there were no ripped stockings and her hair was still in place! YAY!!!

Kids Party Styles {High End Looks 4 Less.}

Christmas is over which means we're all left looking at our credit card statements as if there must have been a huge mix-up.

This isn't OUR statement, is it??

YES, so you went a little psycho at the mall and you now have to watch your pennies--but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your kids styles. Just simply take inspiration from some high end designers and put together your own look for less for your next soiree. Take a look at a few outfits I put together.

High End
Burberry Plaid Dress-$235
Prada Patent Leather Boots-$330

Look 4 Less
Cherokee Plaid Dress-$19.99
Janie & Jack Patent Leather Boots-$42.99

High End
Il Gufo Cardigan-$112
Il Gufo Plaid Shirt-$92.40
Il Gufo Dress Pants-$89.60

Look 4 Less
Class Club 3 piece set-$39.99

Do you often take inspiration by looking at high end clothes?

Party Styles 4 New Years Eve. {Under $100}

Glitz & Glamour
1. Steve Madden Glitsi-$99
2. Aryn K Pleated Top-$92
3. Tinley Road Deco Earrings-$24
4. Nine West Neves Clutch-$54.99


Pretty In Pink
1. 525 america silk sequin cami-$88
2. Tinley Road 3 layer necklace-$48
3. Street Level 103 clutch-$34.99
4. Steve Madden Feelix-$89


A Little Rock-n-Roll
1. Michael Antonio Taffy-$49.99
2. Big Buddha Tuxedo Clutch-$75
3. Hive & Honey wrap bracelet/necklace-$34
4. Tinley Road Sequin Dress-$48.99


Disco Queen
1. Aryn K. Sequin Dress-$89
2. Steve Madden Case Clutch-$88
3. Hive & Honey Mesh Earrings-$24
4. Capparros Lizzie-$65
5. Juicy Couture Vintage crystal ring-$88


Lady Lace
1. Willow & Clay Lace Top-$62
2. Hive & Honey Mixed Necklace-$45
3. Nina Evadne-$49.99
4. Big Buddah Beth-$75

Best Of 2010. {My Favorite Posts.}

I can't believe 2010 is almost over! This year has been such a whirlwind for me--my daughter started school, we got a new puppy, we got a new car, my husband started a new job, and I started a little blog called Babblings of a Mommy.

It's been only 10 months but I feel like I've been blogging forever! To be honest with you, I would have started it much sooner if I knew I would enjoy it so much. It's been a fantastic outlet for me to let all my creative juices out. I've loooved every minute of blogging, especially interacting with all the wonderful mommy bloggers out there that I might have otherwise not come across.

So, seeing that we're so close to closing the book on 2010, I'd thought I'd share with you some of my favorite posts here on Babblings.


Favorite Beauty on a Budget:"You want me to put that where??!" (Good tip that a lot of might know)

Favorite Beauty Tips: "Beauty Secrets Your Mama Should Have Told You Part I and Part II" (My list of DIY beauty tips)

Favorite Kids Book: "I Love You Stinky Face"
(One of my daughters all time favorite books. I love reading it to her)

Favorite Look 4 Less: "1 Picture. 3 Looks for Less!"
(3 great looks in one post.)

Favorite Mommy Gadget: "NOOKcolor {Electronic 4 the Family}" (cool little device that will get the whole family reading)

Favorite Personal Post:
"Me, According to my daughter"
(Sweet post about how my daughter views me)

"You asked, I answered."
(a few questions from readers that I answered. Some of my fashion choices have evolved since then. I now embrace leopard. lol)

"I Met Him At The Rusty Pelican"
(A post on how my husband and I met ♥ )

Favorite One Top, Different Looks: "One Sequined Top {3 ways}" (A lot of people seemed to like this one, so if you like it, I like it. :)

Favorite Yay or Nay?: "Thomas Jane Sneakers, Yay or Nay?"
(Picked for several reasons; only male yay or nay, and plus those shoes are totally weird! haha)

Favorite Shoe Fetish Of The Week: "Jeffrey Campbell, Tabitha heels" (LOVE these shoes!)

Nicole Richie: Get The Look & The Look 4 Less!

Nicole Richie did a little last minute shopping before the holidays in this trés chic outfit.

Love her scarf?

It's the Alexander McQueen's skull print chiffon scarf
and you can get it @ Bergdorf's for $260.


Love her whole outfit?

I created a look for less version for you! Everything is under $90.

The Breakdown:

Shawl Collar Cardigan-$37.90 (Nordstrom)
Skinny Black Pants-$19.80 (Forever21)
Black Floppy Hat-$50.00 (TopShop)
Aviators-$19.50 (Arden B.)
Printed Scarf-$85 (Shopbop)
Red Chain Bag-$39.50 (Swell)
Tall Boots-$69.99 (Piperlime)

Indulge With Lollia In The New Year. (Review & GIVEAWAY)---CLOSED.

With all the running around we do during the Holiday season it's nice find time for ourselves--have a little R&R, and indulge in a little "me" time....

That's where Lollia comes in, ladies.

They specialize in luxury bath and body products. I recently discovered them a few months ago when I received the Breathe collection as a gift, and I honestly don't know how I've been living without them for so long! These products are AH-MAZING--Super luxurious and delightfully aromatic.

About the Company:

"Lollia is created by designer Margot Elena, an innovator of luxurious formulas and signature packaging for over a decade. Margot is well known for her first company, Archive, a well established luxury bath brand. She has designed products for some of the nation's top retailers including Restoration Hardware, Disney and Red Envelope.

...Lollia is a world created with lovely details, blushing fragrances and flirtatious touches. "

www.lollialife.com

Lollia was extremely gracious enough to send me their "In Love" collection to try out. In Love is a delicate infusion of apple blossom kissed sweetly by Jasmine, floating upon the breath of the truest living rose.

Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Well, it smells just as lovely too!

So, what was I lucky enough to review?

• In Love Classic Petal Bubble Bath
• In Love Shea Butter Handcreme
• In Love Boxed Soap

Let me tell you ladies, the bubble bath produced the most fluffy perfumed bubbles and not only does it create the most inviting portrait in your bathtub, but it has moisturizing olive fruit, avocado oils, and Vitamin E in it too.

The handcreme feels luxuriously rich. It's neither too sweet or too strong, and it has the perfect balance of fragrance. It's made out of macadamia nut & avocado oils with extracts of aloe and shea butter leaving your skin super soft.

The bath soap smells amazing in the shower and leaves your skin perfumed all day. It's made out of Shea Butter as well.

Not only do all these products feel and smell wonderful, but I have to make note of the beautiful packaging as well. The In Love collection is adorned with a white rose motif and a slate gray backround creating this super modern and elegant design.

But it should be of no surprise to me, since having beautiful packaging is a Lollia trademark, just take a look at some of their other feminine chic designs...

Gorgeous, right?

Well lucky for you, not only does Lollia want me to pamper myself this new year, but they want one of my readers to pamper themselves too!!

Giveaway:
One Lucky Babblings of a Mommy reader will win the same items I mentioned from the In Love Collection!! (Over $70 value!!)

Mandatory Entry:
Tell me why you need a little pampering this new coming year.

Extra Entries:

• Like Lollia on Facebook
  
• Become a new GFC Follower (If you're already a follower let me know you are)
• Subscribe to my feed here
  
• Become a Facebook fan and "like" my page. Be sure to leave a comment about the giveaway!
  
• Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs and Picket Fence Blogs
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet this: "I hope I win The Lollia giveaway from http://babblingsofamommy.blogspot.com @babblingofmommy"
• Add my button to your site.

It's that simple! Remember each one counts as a different entry so be sure to enter them separately. Giveaway ends January 10th . A winner will be selected by random.org and will be announced on my blog, so be on the lookout for your name!

*products were provided for review purposes. See disclaimer/disclosure for more info.

Little Black Dresses Under $100.

Ring in the new year channeling your best Holly Golightly with these fabulous LBD's--all under $100!!

Aryn K One Shoulder Dress-$84

Jack by BB Dakota-$62
MM Couture A Line Dress-$88

A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz Vneck Dress-$95

Calvin Klein Lace Black Dress-$89

Max & Cleo Jersey Dress-$76
Wyatt Black Side Drape Dress-$98

Marc New York Belted Dress-$99
Laundry Pleated Shoulder Dress-$98

Christmas Is Over??

My daughter is entirely too spoiled. I've come to that conclusion after the massive amounts of presents she received on Christmas. I had to rearrange her closet and throw out some old toys just to make room for the new ones. But, that's what you get when you're an only child and the only girl grandchild, on both sides of the family. Plus she's pretty darn cute too, if I do say so myself. :)

She got so many great toys for Christmas but I gotta say that the highlight for her was her Barbie Jet! She went nuts over it.


She also got her first American Girl doll and puppy!! But I think I'm more excited about it then she is, really. Haha. You better believe the next trip to NYC we'll be taking her to the American Girl store to have a tea party!


The thing about Christmas is that the anticipation is half of the magic, right? When it arrives, it's gone just like that--in a blink of an eye.

(Cookies & drawing left for Santa)

It's the day after Christmas and I'm left with a house that looks like a tornado blew through it. Dishes are piled high, my garage looks like a episode of 'Hoaders', and I'm pretty sure I can still find wrapping paper under the sofas. Besides that, Christmas was wonderful, and it looks like Santa thought we were very good this year!

How was your Christmas?!

Santa Time! Have You've Been Good This Year?

I decided to re-post this for the Christmas Holiday. I hope you and your families have a very Merry Christmas filled with peace, love, happiness and joy!

XOXO,
Jenny

This past weekend we took my daughter and my nephew, who is in town for the holidays, to see Santa! We take her to the same Santa every year at Downtown Disney. (Which in my opinion has the best Santa around.) It's a bit of a drive for us, but it's definitely worth it. His house/workshop is decorated with a million little lights and surrounded by real Christmas trees decorated with toys and bows--it's truly magical. Plus after the kiddies are done telling Santa what they want, you can do a little x-mas shopping and go into one of the 50 Disney stores or dance around with the DJ (which my daughter did), or walk around on the boardwalk and hang out. There's even a giant hot air balloon that we've seen hundreds of times and had finally promised each other we were going to go on it---aaand of course it was closed due to high winds, so we'll have to go next time. Haha. Oh well.

Have you taken your kids to see Santa yet?

Season's Greetings, From Babblings Of A Mommy.

Wishing you and your families a Happy Holiday.
Thank you for the daily love and support.
May all your wishes come true in the New Year.

Warmly,
Jenny

Classic Christmas Books.

If you're like us, then you read a special bedtime story to your little one Christmas Eve. What's our favorite book to read our little munchkin? The Night Before Christmas--of course! Although How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a close second for my daughter. She loves both books and makes us read it to her over and over again whether it's in season or not.

If you're looking to add more holiday books to your repertoire, here are some Classic Christmas tales that are sure to be a hit for the whole family!

A Wish to be a Christmas Tree

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The Christmas Story

An Old-Fashioned Christmas Story

God Gave Us Christmas

1 Simple Tank. 3 Holiday Looks!!

Have a few holiday parties to attend--but don't have want to buy an outfit for each one? Try using what you already have in your closet to create completely different looks for each one!

Here are 3 looks I created just using a simple gray tank (a basic we might all have in our closet), and a few other common pieces, (trousers, black A-line skirt, jeans, and a blazer). You'll save a ton a money and you'll still look fabulous!