The Fashionista & Baby

Though I successfully managed to stave off the nasty cold my husband had for almost a week, Mademoiselle was not so lucky. Fortunately, this is the second cold and the first severe illness Mademoiselle has ever had in her entire 27 months of life in this world. Typically, when my children are sick I immediately quarantine and confine them to their rooms. I put them on lockdown. They are not allowed to leave their rooms for anything except in the case of a fire and to use the restroom. For days, I walk around with a can of Lysol and a bottle of bleach in hopes of keeping contagious germs at bay. I go through this ritual because I cannot afford to be sick and I wish to keep others in my household healthy as well.

 

While it is easy to quarantine a fifteen and a nine year old, quarantining an affectionate, headstrong two-year-old who thinks she’s grown is no easy feat. By allowing Mademoiselle to run freely about the house she puts us all at risk of getting sick, especially so since she does not yet understand the concept of covering her mouth when she coughs and she loves to hug and give kisses on the lips. Now that the hubby is in bed recovering from knee surgery, I must be vigilant in protecting myself from sickness.

 

To keep from getting sick, I have been eating lots of flu and cold fighting foods. The natural compounds found in foods like garlic, onions, honey, ginger, and the spice cayenne pepper provide natural immune boosting properties. And so yesterday, I added cayenne pepper, a clove of raw garlic, and half of an onion chopped to a bowl of lentil and spinach soup. Keep in mind that garlic should be consumed raw and chopped for maximum benefit; red onions are recommended over yellow. I also have been making tea with boiling water, two tablespoons of grated ginger, juice from a lemon, and honey. I cannot forget about Rachel’s delicious and nutritious yogurt because of the probiotics (friendly bacteria), which is also good in fighting against colds and flu. This morning, after I drop the boys off at school, I will be going to Whole Foods Market to get some Echinacea and zinc to add to my arsenal of natural cold busting weapons.

I will be the first to admit that I am not a music buff. I cannot even find my iPod. It has been missing for almost a year now. When I workout or go for a walk with Mademoiselle, I either use the hubby’s or my son’s iPod. Sure, I have music that I listen to in the car; however, it is on the rarest occasions that I change the music in my CD player. Those same CDs will be in my CD player for a few months before I swap them for the next batch. It’s not that I don’t like music because I do have my favorites, it’s just that I’m not really into music as much as most people.

 

Nevertheless, I do know this much: Mary J. was not the first person to integrate R&B with rap – Chaka Khan was with her hit song I Feel for You. So once I heard Mary claim that she was the first artist to bring the two genres together I was a little irritated. When Mary loaned her vocals to Method Man’s rap song You’re All I Need, she made the music form popular, but by no means was she the first. This is not to take anything away from Mary; this is more about giving credit where credit is due. It is time for Chaka to start receiving some accolades for being a trailblazer for young artist like Mary J. Blige.

 

Of course, you know I had to relate this post to fashion. I love this Chaka Khan t-shirt, and I am happy that turned-up denims are making their way back to the fashion scene, which will save a lot of money on alterations.

 

Chaka Khan t-shirt. To visit Chaka Khan's official website click here.

Lucky Brand's Lauren Peace Buckle Skinny Belt

Zappos Fitzwell Flats

Nordstrom's Naughty Monkey 'Animal Thunder' 

 

Why does time pass by so quickly as you approach 40? All those years I spent as a young girl, anticipating and eagerly awaiting my time to turn, what some have deemed, the legal age of 18 (I really wanted to be a contestant on the Love Connection). No matter how fast I wanted 18 to come, it took its sweet time before finally bestowing its false gift of adulthood upon me. If I knew then what I know today, I would not have been so concerned about getting older; instead, I would have taken full advantage of my youthful years, relishing in the uninhibited freedom those precious years carried. Time is a precious commodity that you cannot get back once it has passed, and oh, man does it move swiftly. I honestly cannot tell you where the time went, especially when I look at how fast Mademoiselle is growing. Now a precocious two-year-old, Mademoiselle acts more like a teenager than a toddler. Just last night I caught Mademoiselle holding a small mirror in one hand while trying remove a patch of dry skin from her bottom lip with the other. A few minutes later, Mademoiselle went to the bathroom, put a little Vaseline on her index finger, and applied it to her tiny lips to soothe the dryness. It was the cutest thing to watch.

 

I think it is great that my little girl is becoming more self-sufficient. I love that she insists on carrying her own belongings in a purse or backpack, and since she is now toilet trained, alas, I am free from toting around a diaper bag. Like those years when I impatiently waited to turn 18, I could not wait for those days of carrying a stylish clutch or handbag to return. Surprisingly, now that the opportunity has come, I find myself with a rather perplexing dilemma, a purse conundrum so to speak. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that I have not carried a purse in a little over two years. Oddly, I feel somewhat attached to the old diaper bag that does not match a single thing in my closet; I feel weird walking out of the house without it even when Mademoiselle is not with me. I forget the most important necessities when I attempt to carry a regular handbag, which often leaves me in a bind; yet I feel stupid with a diaper bag on my shoulder without a baby in my arms or in a stroller. Could my attachment to Mademoiselle’s diaper bag signify a harsh reality that I am unconsciously avoiding? What is the harsh reality I am avoiding? It is the reality that Mademoiselle is no longer a baby. I know I need to come to the realization that I cannot capture time in a bottle. Mademoiselle is growing up rather I like it or not.

 

Now I’m wondering what quick fix is going to rectify my current situation since facing the reality of my daughter growing up will not happen overnight. Maybe... Just maybe I need to feel the adrenaline rush of buying a super cute, fabulously funky new purse that will rekindle that old love that seems to have been lost. I need a clutch or tote that will reconnect all the fashion wires that have been disconnected by the chaotic parenting world of raising two boys and one fearless, wild girl child.

 

The Fashion Quick Fix 

My favorite accessory shop for unique accessory finds, Tres Jolie's Luxe Fur Clutch, pictured above. 

Tory Burch French Resin Clutch

 Lips Tote

 

Holiday Gift Alert

Tres Jolie's Gold Bracelets with Turquiose and Eye of the Tiger

 

Combine this uniquely packaged towel with your favorite skincare or face products to create an adorable gift.

 

Tory Burch Kid Tunic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I contemplate the 15 years you have spent on this earth thus far, gracing the world with your kind personality and charming smile, I marvel at the young man you are becoming. You are such an intelligent and thoughtful person, which is why others, including me, love being around you. Because of your potential, I am excited about all the promises and hope the future is holding at will call for you. I must not fail to remind you once again that I believe in you and in your ability to succeed and triumph over adversity. Happy Birthday, Beniy!

My heart is filled with so much love for you,

Mom