FAB Friday - Winter Wonderful

Good Morning, Mochas!

I have bad news. If you believe the weatherman, a nor'easterner approaches us even as we speak.  In spite of all the sunshine and relatively pleasant temps we've had the last few weeks, it seems we won't be escaping our February snow. However, we won't let that get us down!  Here are a few things to look forward to in spite of the the weather:

End of Season Sales:  Even though it will still be chilly for at least another couple of months, many retailers have already begun to mark down their winter inventory in preparation for spring.  That means that this is the perfect time to invest in some fabulous winter finds that you can still get some good wear out of. Think sweaters, coats, and boots in more classic colors and styles. Not only can you add a discounted punch of winter fab to your closet and a little spark to your look for the remainder of the season, you can be happy knowing that more than likely, the same great finds will pay off next winter as well.

And since retailers are preparing for spring, perhaps we should too.  Consider easing into the coming warm up feet first, literally.  There is no better time to start paying attention to our feet than now. Here's my Operation Summertime Smooth Heel strategy:  One pedicure a month, three times a week covering my feet in Vicks VapoRub (Vaseline works also) and socks before bed, and also pampering my dogs with h20+'s Softening Mint Foot Rub once a week. Hopefully, if I can stick to this regimen my cracked and scratchy heels will be transformed by spring. Whatever regimen you use, consider beginning it now. And finally, perk up yours hands and toes with a fun bright polish. Although we have at least one more snow coming our way this winter, it's doesn't mean we have  to put off getting our minds right for spring!  

So that's all I have. Ward off the winter doldrums by embracing the weather to come and prettify the rest of the winter season. Extended winters can bring us down, but remember: when you look good, you feel good, no matter what's going on outside. Now let's get ready to kick the rest of winter's butt with our smooth- heeled cute-toed feet!

Have a Fabulous Friday, Mochas!

 This post if courtesy of Mocha Otise

Click HERE for more Fab Friday posts.

Wellness - Being Beautifully You!

Hey YOU! Don't you know that you are beautiful? Did you know that everything you are, you want and do are at the center of your being? The best version of you can only come from you! At this moment, are you able to decide to be truly yourself, unapologetic, fearless, bold, and naturally beautiful? 

A friend of mine gave me an inspirational and powerful book for my birthday. It is a book of life lessons, poems and simple prayers for women. "P.S. Pray the same for me," by Marquita Smith.

I pray that you always seek to understand yourself and no matter how painful self-reflection is, you always partake in it.

I pray that you are free to create and be the most magnificent version of yourself. Be free to have goals and continue to stretch until they are accomplished or until your inner voice tells you it is time to release and start fresh.

I pray that you are comfortable in your own skin and that you are confident enough to allow others to be comfortable in theirs.

I pray you cry when you want to cry, laugh when you want to laugh, get mad when you want to, and be silent when you need to.

I pray that you are gentle with yourself. Nurture yourself.

I pray that you embrace your weaknesses in the same measure as you do your strengths. Find the blessing and gifts in your frailties and insecurities.

I pray that you can look yourself in the mirror and love what you see.

I pray that you are anchored in security, self-acceptance, and belief in yourself.

I pray that you are able to believe in you and not in who others believe you to be. Remember that they are limited in their knowledge of your inner workings.

I pray that you don't beat yourself up for the decisions you make to better yourself.

I pray that you let go of the need for acceptance. Make sure you are giving yourself the acceptance you crave from others.

I pray that you acknowledge how great you are.

I pray that you recognize who beautiful you are.

I pray that you know the importance of being authentically you. Authentic love is deeply rooted and tied to the authenticity of love you have for yourself.

I pray all these things to you, my Mochas, and please pray the same for me. Xoxo.

Renew your membership before Jan. 31st here: http://www.mochamoms.org/renew.html. 

This post is courtesy of our fearless leader, Mocha Tiffany K.

Click HERE for more Wellness Topics

Wellness - A New Prespective

This message is courtesy of Mocha Sheri BP.

Click HERE for more Wellness Topics.

Money Class - Home Buying Series

A special message from our sponsor Wells Fargo:

Join the Mocha Moms, Inc. Wells Fargo Homeownership Three-Part Webinar Series!  

According to the Wells Fargo 2014 How America Views Homeownership Survey, 87 percent of people view homeownership as an achievement to be proud of and a dream come true.
 
We're pleased to host a three-part webinar series focusing on the information you need whether you're thinking about buying your first home, or you want to buy again but aren't sure of your options.   Each session will feature an experienced Wells Fargo Home Mortgage representative eager to help you become - and remain - a proud homeowner. 
 
January 20
Home financing basics - What type of expenses should you plan for? The costs of homeownership go beyond the monthly mortgage payments.  

February 17
Credit basics - Understand what a credit score is and how it may impact your loan pricing.

March 17
Loan application process - Understand the steps of the loan approval and funding process to help you avoid potential pitfalls along the way. 
 
REGISTER NOW for all three sessions of the Webinar Series: 

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9068764573096763394

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.  Brought to you by GoToWebinar ® Webinars Made Easy ®  View System Requirements 
 
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and an Equal Housing Lender. NMLSR ID 399801.   

This has been prepared for informational purposes only. The accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed and is subject to change. Since each individual's financial situation is unique, you need to review your financial objectives to determine which approaches might work best for you.

 Connect with Mocha Moms, Inc!

Click HERE for more Money Topics and Videos!

Wellness - Be BRAVE!

Good Morning Mochas! Happy Wednesday!

This week's Wellness Wednesday will channel our bravery! 

In addition to being bold, we must be brave! Being brave means doing something we are afraid to do. Similar to being bold, but truly enduring something that we thought would be painful or excruciating. Being brave means being a risk taker, courageous, fearless, and vulnerable all at the same time. 

What's that one thing you've been wanting to do, but you've been afraid to do it? Admit that you are afraid, make a goal and plan the steps to go through it even though you are afraid. Make the decision and do it! You will be brave for doing whatever it is that "you" choose to do!

Who is the bravest person you know? Who is that one person who you look up to and say, "wow," how do they do it? Or, how did they do that? I truly believe our children are the bravest little people. They go through this world everyday learning new things, suffering through life's many challenges and facing what's fearful to them every second of the day. They step out and try new things, they express themselves not caring what people think, and they lovingly give themselves whole heartedly! That is bravery! But, what is bravery to you? Recognizing what someone else has done and their experience can give us the strength we need to overcome a fear and be brave.

What are you no longer afraid of? What is something that you've done and said, "I did it!" And then said, "That wasn't so bad!" People forget mundane acts like moving to another state, getting married, or even having children!! How about telling the truth, speaking up, or just being yourself?

Lets take stock of our past acts of bravery and make it part of who we are. Then it will be easier to face something we thought would be intimidating. 

Conquer your fears and have fun doing it! Be brave and live your life well.

"Don't be afraid to be AMAZING!" ~Andy Offutt Irwin.

Xoxo

This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

Click HERE for more Wellness Topics!

Fab Friday - New Year, New You!

It is the beginning of a new year, and if you are like me, you have probably just begun to struggle with your new year's resolutions (if you made any at all). In fact, I'm realizing a trend: I never keep my resolutions. Ever. And after thinking  about it, I think I've put my finger on the problem. Whenever I have made a resolution, it's always been very specific:  loose twenty pounds, keep a perfectly clean house, blah blah blah. Maybe I need something a little less structured, something that doesn't screech "failure!" in blinking red lights when I miss the mark. So this year, I am resolved to just be fabulous and do things that make me feel as such.

"Fabulous", I'm discovering, is a state of mind. It has less to do with price points, labels, and hot spots and more to do with an attitude.  You may not be aware that you feel fab, but you know when you don't. For instance, I have been feeling very run down lately. Not fabulous. And part of the reason is a very persistent and worsening hip pain. Last week, my hips were so achy they felt nearly locked. I had an idea: I was going to soak in Epsom salt.  I started with getting the routine end of night stuff out of the way. Then I go in the bathroom and realize the tub is filthy. So, at 10:00 at night, with an aching back swollen feet and nearly broken hips after a day of work and wifedom, I bend over and begin to scrub.   Then I run the water and go to grab the salts when I realize we have none. No worries, I'll just soak in a bubble bath...wait, where is the bubble bath?  Turns out we don't have that either.  Refusing to be deterred I yelled downstairs for my husband to bring me the Dawn dish soap. If it's good enough to clean animals after an oil spill, it's good enough for me. So, after all of that, I slid my achy swollen body down into that water, and among those Dawn bubbles I had a revelation.  Baths feel good!  Downright luxurious!  I couldn't remember the last time I had luxuriated in a bathtub for thirty minutes. It was warm, quiet, and peaceful. Why hadn't I done this sooner?  It required no money, and yet I felt...fabulous!

And that, my friends, is my point. I am on a quest to reinvigorate my "me" and I invite you to join me.  Each week, I will offer you a suggestion to cultivate your fabulous self. This week, I encourage you to start small, with your ablutions. Use soaps and salts that don't just clean you but stimulate yours senses like  Aveda's Energizing Body Wash (http://www.aveda.com/index.tmpl) or take advantage of The Body Shop's amazing sale (http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/index.aspx) and pick up a couple of scrubs (my fav is the African Spa Ximena Salt Scrub) and lotions for an amazing price. Whatever it is, wind down this week by pampering your skin and yourself. I promise, you'll feel better for it!

Stay Fabulous!
Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

See all of our Fab Friday Topics HERE.

Wellness - Creating Comfort!

My real life

Baby it's cold outside!!

My preferred life

All I want to do is curl up in my bed!

What follows are my best tips for maintaining sanity during these cold winter months.

Tip #1  Make Your Bed Warm and Cozy
I know you don't think I was going to say "make your bed as in 'MAKE' your bed."  No ma'am!  Whether you're a bed maker or not (I'm not) make your bed super cozy!  I like LOTS of pillows, my down comforter (a MUST HAVE) and jersey knit sheets.

My favorite spot in ALL THE WORLD!

We have a queen size bed, but I always buy a King Size Comforter and Duvet.  My hubby is a cover hog, PLUS the extra fabric is so Cuddlelicious!

Jersey Knit Sheets feel like soft t-shirts

These days fancy hotels have Pillow Menus.  I like a good pillow, but really, what I need is a sheet menu!  I'll choose Jersey Knit every time!  Sweet baby Jesus, it's like sleeping in the clouds!

From your comfortable nest you're ready to reign over your comfort kingdom!

Relaxing in my comfort kingdom!

Tip #2 Surround Yourself with Positive Vibes
That's so vague and hippy, dippy but stay with me - I'll explain.  Bring into your space all the things that make you happy.

Kid Art makes my happy.

Interior design courtesy of  Destin

My middle son decorated our media closet with a trio of homemade Angry Birds.  The birds might be angry, but his art makes me smile.

Vintage family pix warm my heart.  Years ago an elderly relative told me that I should surround myself with pictures of my husband as a child.  She theorized that seeing him as a little boy would help me remember his innocence 

My husband circa 1978

Our home is filled with 70's era pix of my hubby and family.  

Tip #3 Share Your Space With a Trusted Friend!

I'm a busy working mom so I have to make time to relax!  After the kids go to bed I cuddle up with Wendy Williams (on DVR).  No I don't know Wendy personally -  she's a friend in my head.  We kee-kee about the Real Housewives and all the latest celebrity gossip.  

My girlfriend Wendy and I hang out every night!

I relax with Rachel Ray (Magazine), plan the weeks menus or just enjoy the pictures of food.  

Rachel Ray and Me

Sometime I share my space with Miss Daisy our little Yorkie poo!

Daisy is a bed hog!

Tip #3 Plan for Tomorrow

This is a tip that I've had to learn over time.  It doesn't do me any good to relax tonight if I'm going to be crazy in the morning.  I've learned to plan for the next day!

This little valet saves my sanity EVERY SINGLE MORNING!

Found this valet for $6 at GoodWill

My valet lives in our bathroom.  I dress her each night.  She holds tomorrow's outfit including socks and undies!

Ready for tomorrow

Organize yourself!

When you have time on a weekend, make yourself some kind of jewelry organizer.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  I made mine from stuff I had around the house.  It's just one more little thing to help you feel organized.

Here's another super simple necklace holder

Tip #4 Get a Good Night's Sleep!   

Imagine how great you'd feel if you gave yourself the gift of a good nights sleep each night.  I have to work at it!  Sometimes it works out - sometimes not.  When I can, I do my best to snuggle up and sleep well each night.  I turn off the TV, put the phones downstairs to charge and kill the lights.  I try to get to bed at a descent hour to I allow myself to unwind.  

I have a full time time, house, husband, dog and 3 kids at home.  Trust me when I tell you uninterrupted sleep can be tricky to come by.  I do my best though!

Bedtime companion #1

My cute hubby is a great sleep aid, but 1/2 a sleeping pill helps too!  I don't have trouble falling asleep, I have trouble staying asleep, so a little pill (sometime herbal, sometimes not) really does the trick.

Bedtime companion #2

It doesn't matter how I get there - I just need to get to sleep! (No- simply sleep is not paying my to plug their product.)    

Tip #5 - Remember - It's Not Forever!

No matter how much it feels like it now, winter won't last forever!  Before you know it you'll be dancing around in cute dresses and strappy sandals!  Just for today- get cozy and enjoy some much needed down time!

This post is courtesy of Mocha Kathy.

Check HERE for more Wellness Topics!