Mom Hosted Holiday Bazaar in Downingtown, this Friday, November 11th.

Chesco Moms, very own Melissa the Calendar Maven has organized a Mom-Hosted Holiday Bazaar being held this Friday at Ashbridge Manor, 5;00-9:00PM. The Bazaar will feature 14 vendors, all moms, 10 of 14 live in Chester County. Each of the vendors have donated something (products, gift certs, etc) to a gift basket that will be raffled off the night of the event. The money from raffle ticket sales is being donated to Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown. Some vendors will offer cash and carry items.

Vendors are:

Kristen Hudgens- Lovely Little One, (Handmade baby and nursing apparel.) http://www.facebook.com/LovelyLittleOne

Melissa Auvil- Tastefully Simple, http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mauvil

Jennifer Pontzer- Elephants on Parade, (Hairbows and Clips) http://www.peanutsaccessories.blogspot.com

Meredith Roddy- Meredith Joy Designs (Jewelry and greeting cards) Www.meredithjoydesigns.com

Kelly Hornak- Scentsy (Flameless Candle Warmers) https://khornak.scentsy.us

Kristen Blankmeyer- Stampin’ Up! (stamps, inks, cardstock) http://www.krisblankmeyer.stampinup.net

Danielle Jaszczak- Creative Memories (Creative Memories has products to help people preserve their memories with traditional or digital scrapbooking.) http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/dsj

Tiffinee baker- Tiffinee a-z (Antiques and used items)

Jen Snyder- Thirty-One (Purses and Bags) http://www.mythirtyone.com/jensnyder

Andria Kaskey- Studio 791 (paper goods and more! to be more specific: stationery, magnets, collage items, desk accessories) http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com

Kimberley Polidori- The Smiling Door (Creative door decor)

Jen Ward- Babee Crafts (organic and eco-friendly baby gifts) http://www.babeecrafts.etsy.com

Holly Lerch- Hollypops (Homemade & hand decorated cake on a stick) http://www.facebook.com/holly.zieglerlerch

Kia Lyons- Platinum Prints Collection (children’s clothing) http://www.platinumprintscollection.com

Click here to “like” Moms Hosted Holiday Bazaar on Facebook

Friday Fashion Tips: Looking Polished

There’s so much more to looking trendy or fashionable than just the clothes you are wearing. Its about looking put together. I know for me, as a busy mom, it is hard to find time to take care of myself. But there are a few tricks to helping you look polished and stylish – even in a tshirt and jeans!

1. Get a 5-minute beauty routine down: Even when I’m running really, realllly late, I can squeeze in 5 minutes. (Even if its in the passenger seat of the car while my husband is driving.) Get yourself a quick routine that uses classic colors that won’t go out of style. (Think smoky browns on your eyes and rose lips and cheeks.) Then you’re always simply made up and looking gorgeous.

For me, I start with primer, dab on concealer, then quickly fill in my brows, put on eyeliner, shadow and mascara, and follow it all by a quick dusting of mineral foundation. Then throw on lip stain and I’m done!

2. Keep up your mani: If you don’t have time to keep your nails done, don’t go for dark polish. Keep your nails short and polish with clear or something very light so that chips don’t show. Chipped polish drives me INSANE. It looks so awful! My secret? This:

Insta-Dri. It dries in 60 seconds. Literally. I use a very pale pink and it last a few days – chips are hardly noticeable. But when its time to redo – it takes about 2 minutes.

3. Find a signature scent: Spritz on a splash of our favorite fragrance whether you’re wearing a LBD or a tshirt and jeans. Fragrances are expensive – but they last for a long time. Bottles usually last me over a year. My favorite scent is Beautiful by Estee Lauder.

Fragrance is a great item to put on your Holiday Wish List 🙂

4. Have a few killer outfit in your closet: A perfect pair of jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. Black bootcut pants and a bright sweater. A simple sweaterdress. Things you can just throw on when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to spend picking out an outfit, then changing. Then changing again.

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Marc by Marc Jacobs
Cardigans by LOFT

5. Be ready on the go: Make up a small bag to stash in your purse, car or desk. Include basics like eye makeup remover, concealer and powder, a small bottle of hairspray and lip stick. You never know when you are going to have “one of those days” or not have time to freshen up before a meeting. Or – this is the worst – you get out and realize you never even put makeup on that morning. (Or does that just happen to me?) Bonus points for including a rechargeable, cordless flat iron!

What are your secrets to pulling off a polished look?

Melissa is a work at home mom to 3 adorable, active kids outside Philadelphia. She is founding editor of the fashion blog b*Stylish, and dishs about family life on her personal blog, Girlymama. Find her on twitter as @girlymamamel.

Trendy Thursday with Chesco Mom Melissa: Don’t forget about your hair!!!

Confession: I put so much thought into my outfits. And so little into my hair. The last time I had my hair cut was August. 2009.
Yes. I do not bother with my hair. It kind-of just hangs there. And I decided to do something about it. I poured over the lastest issue of InStyle Hair and chose a cut.  This Sunday, I called and made an appointment on the way to church and right after church was over, I headed over and chopped about 12 inches off my hair.

GULP.
Here is basically how long it was:

Here it is now:

Just a tad shorter in the back, wouldn’t you say? (Sorry for the terrible self portrait.)
And you know what? I love it!!I love having a “style” instead of just “hair!” I can’t believe I’ve been neglecting this aspect of my personal style for so long!! I’m a new woman!

Melissa also talks family and fashion on her personal blog, Girlymama.