There are early birds who’ve been waiting in line for the doors to open since dark, hobbyists who leisurely wander with coffee in hand on a Saturday morning, competitive and/or frantic shoppers who rush room to room, and occasional browser who stumbled upon a sign at the entrance of the neighborhood, and those on a mission to complete a project.

I fall into the last category, those on a mission. You know the television shows where chefs are given random ingredients and must create a delicious dish using only those ingredients? Picture that, but swap the food for furniture.

I had a crazy idea to furnish my entire guest house using only what I could find at estate sales and on Facebook Marketplace. To help, I needed someone with a creative vision and an eye for a good find. They also had to be as crazy as I was to take on the challenge. I had worked with Lauren of Lauren Storms Styling to design our entire home, and I knew she was up for the challenge of estate sales and scouring Marketplace with me to create the perfect space.

As she helped design our home, Lauren never batted an eye at my crazy texts at all hours as I sent her a photo of an estate sale find. “Will this old rug work?” “How’s this couch for the living room?” “What if we base the bedroom’s colors off this random pillow that I just got off Marketplace?” Her quick responses of “Love it” or “Hate it” were vital in sourcing furniture and accent pieces that perfectly fit us and our home.

The biggest score of all my estate sale searches for my house are the Ralph Lauren granite end tables that we used in my living room. I bought them for $350, but they retail for almost $8,000 a piece! Another find is the gorgeous buffet I purchased at an estate sale for $175, which highlights the entryway and rarely goes without a compliment. If you added up the retail value of the estate sale pieces in my house, I actually made money furnishing our home. Or that’s what I tell my husband.

When I found out my long-term tenant was moving out of my guest house in Mistletoe Heights, I knew this was the perfect project for Lauren. Together, we sourced everything we needed to complete an entire guest house in just three weeks. The hunt for furnishings is thrilling, and you never know what you are looking for until it screams your name from the corner where it’s hiding. Finding the perfect piece is exhilarating, knowing it will find a new home and be loved again. Lauren’s eye for design, cohesion, color, balance, and beauty (and the patience of a saint) combined with all my crazy ideas to create a unique and charming space with just the right amount of Fort Worth flair to finish this formerly drab and hopeless space.

Once we acquired all the pieces we needed, Lauren sent me out to purchase specific paint colors. The walls were freshly painted, the furniture was moved in, the chandelier was hung, and the television was mounted. Then Lauren and I went to finish the space in a day. We arranged furniture, styled accessories, and hung estate sale finds on the walls, and I wound up with the prettiest little guest house ready to host weekend stays right in the heart of our perfect little city.

Some of the pieces I love are the James Dean framed poster we scored for $20, the $15 woven basket on the dining room wall, and the cowboy artwork in the bedroom that I dug out of a pile at the home of an artist, which cost me all of $4. The big splurge was the Restoration Hardware coffee table, which I got for $100; the bigger splurge was the living room rug, which cost me $200.

All in all, I spent a total of $1,493 to decorate an entire guest house. That includes everything in the house, from the couch to the bed, the television to the books and artwork, the dining table and chairs to the knickknacks on the shelves. I shopped and sourced most pieces, but Lauren made the space a cohesive and charming home.

I can’t wait to get back to some estate sales to see what other treasures are out there.

The post Treasure Hunting first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

For years I have been spending upwards of $1600 a month for our family of six, and some months are closer to $2000 (thanks, gas prices and inflation). According to the Motley Fool, food expenses are third in line behind housing and transportation for where Americans spend the most each month. But that isn’t the case for my house. The money we spend on my modest Subaru, my husband’s Jeep, and the gas we use don’t come close to feeding four hungry kids.

(If you’re expecting me to write about coupon clipping and using the same ingredients from meal to meal, that isn’t what I’m sharing. This is about being creative with what you have.)

We hardly ever eat out unless we are out of town, so I can’t even blame that on why our food bills are so high. It all had to do with my grocery shopping habits. I had to do something to stop the bleeding. I think I knew deep down I had the solution all along, but it takes planning to bring those grocery bills down, and I am not a planner.

Here is where I started: the pantry.

Why do I have so many half-open packages of pasta, rice, and beans? And why do I have so many canned goods that I buy every trip thinking I need to have every nook and cranny of my pantry filled. I won’t even get started on all the frozen veggies in my freezer, but here, my friends, is where my solution began.

Breakfast is usually yogurt or toast with peanut butter. Lunches are usually sandwiches, soups, salads… whatever we have on hand plus fruit, chips, and granola bars making their usual appearance in lunchboxes

For dinners, I brainstormed with my husband since he’s the main cook. Together, we came up with ways to make a dent in the pantry.

• Monday
  3 half bags of egg noodles + 4 frozen steaks that were on sale + mushrooms = Beef stroganoff!
• Tuesday
  Buy one get one pork tenderloin deal + rice + can of peas = Roasted pork tenderloin and sides. I got to use a pantry bouillon cube to season the rice. It’s all about using those pantry items.
• Wednesday
  Frozen hot dogs + crescent rolls = pigs in a blanket + mustard (not every meal is gourmet – we being frugal here!). I had some frozen mozzarella sticks I added to the “feast.”
• Thursday
  So many half-full jars of olives + can of garbanzo beans + feta + tomatoes + cucumber + a half bag of frozen chicken = Greek salad with grilled chicken. I made my own salad dressing with red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and various spices. The kids gobbled this up (well, the oldest only ate the chicken, but three out of four ain’t bad!).
• Friday
  Frozen salmon + quinoa + frozen veggies. Here’s where I got creative. Those frozen veggies needed heeeelp. I found a recipe on Bon Appétit that has you toast panko with spices that you mix with the sautéed veggies in butter right after they are cooked. It took my sad frozen cauliflower and brussels sprouts to another level. Here’s a link: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/skillet-roasted-cauliflower-with-panko (I didn’t have any pine nuts, so I skipped that).
• Saturday
  Any leftovers you have – or whip up a butter noodles or spaghetti and meat sauce. It’s Saturday, and no one felt like preparing a huge meal.
• Sunday
  Eggs + frozen veggies + cheese on hand = veggie soufflé! Soufflés sounds intimidating, but they’re not. And I got to use the bits of feta, parmesan, and mozzarella I had. Is it worthy to be served at Rise? I think decidedly no, but this is a delicious meal, and you will be surprised how easy it is to make and how much you can go through those bits of things in your kitchen. Same goes for quiche if you prefer them. You can work in ham or bacon if you need to use up the meats in your fridge.

My grocery list included pork tenderloin, crescent rolls, mushrooms, onion, frozen chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, two bags of lettuce, and then all the stuff I buy weekly like chips, granola bars, yogurt, milk, butter, and fruit – lots of fruit, as my kids go through pounds and pounds per child per week. Admittedly, this is where a large portion of my bill is, but I know how healthy it is for them.

Last week, my grocery bill was UNDER $300! Don’t forget we have four teenagers/tweens who eat all day long. This is a huge win for me. And if I keep it up, we will save over $10,000 this year on our grocery bills.

The post Using What You’ve Got – A Grocery Trip first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

There are few things more difficult than buying for teenagers, amirite? The Wall of Sighs and Eyerolls is meant to keep you, you annoying adult, out of their lives. And while it’s actually a good thing that they don’t want to be our buddies (they’re right on track, developmentally speaking), it makes giving them anything that they might actually want difficult. However, with a little friendly eavesdropping and some imagination, you can be the holiday hero!

I’m a complete nerd, and my kiddos are nerd larvae. My younger loves all things anime and Studio Ghibli. My older is in four different D&D campaigns and loves Moomin. Armed with this knowledge, I was able to find stocking stuffers under $10 each that they will actually like.

Save the World from Disposables

How about a couple of new face masks? Etsy is chock full of great face masks in all sorts of patterns and styles. My kids prefer the “origami” style, as it allows them to breathe more easily. I love that they can wear fun masks that can be washed and won’t clog up landfills.

Funky Footwear

Why not get some great socks? My little larvae express their individuality with crazy socks, and there are some great ones out there! (Plus, you can get rid of some of those teen socks which never get completely stink-free.)

Glam and Glorious

If you’ve got a makeup aficionado like my younger one, both Sephora and Ulta have some great stocking stuffers. Eyeshadow palettes, nail decals, and fragrances from brands like Clinique, O.P.I., and more. And don’t forget the store brands. You can find all sorts of deals!

Tech Gifts

Every teen I know is glued to their smartphones. How about some charging cables/blocks? Or a charging cord organizer? A charging block would keep your wall outlet free! Trust me, there are all sorts of inexpensive tech gifts out there!

And finally…

Just for Sillies

When my sister lived in Seattle, one of my kids’ favorite places to visit was the original Archie McPhee store on NW Market St. Fortunately, they have a great online store chock full of all sorts of crazy things like kale-flavored candy canes, meerkat finger puppets, or an Emily Dickenson air freshener. I mean, who doesn’t need an Emily Dickenson air freshener?

So there you have it. With a little bit of creativity and a splash of Google Fu, you can fill your teens’ stockings with things that might make them crack a smile! Maybe.

(Oh, and if any of you tell my children these ideas, so help me, I will hunt you down!)

The post Stocking Stuffers for Your Teen first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

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Oh no! The kids go on winter break soon, but you haven’t planned how to keep them busy while you handle the shopping, baking and decorating. Don’t panic! We’ve come up with our list of favorite festive activities to keep the kids happy and buy you time for elven chores!

Go pick out a Christmas tree together!

The holidays just aren’t the holidays without a place to put the presents, and the fun starts with picking out the tree. Lots of tree farms offer extra activities like sleigh rides, snowman building, cider-drinking and snowy hikes—and even without the extra frills, the hunt for the perfect tree is a fun activity on its own!

Go for a walk through the neighborhood for decoration inspiration.

Don’t have a plan for decorating your house or tree? Don’t sweat it. Pick a night to bundle up and go for a family walk, taking note of everyone’s favorite decorations. Together, you can come up with a plan of how to decorate your home and Christmas tree—and even your Springfree Trampoline!

Bundle and bounce.

Did you know that trampolines can be used in the winter? In fact, the Springfree Trampoline was designed to survive harsh winter conditions. Jumping on the trampoline for 10 minutes in the morning is a great way to warm up and get your blood pumping—plus it’s the equivalent of 30 minutes of physical activity—so get your snowsuit on and get out there!

DIY Christmas tree decorations.

The ornaments that mean the most are the ones you make yourselves, because they’re more than just decorations—they’re memories of precious moments spent together. Bust out the glue, paint, glitter and colored paper, and get cracking! (Don’t forget, DIY decorating can also be a distraction for the little ones while you sneak away for some gift wrapping!)

​

Deck the trampoline with boughs of holly.

Or if not holly, there are lots of ways to decorate your Springfree trampoline, from strings of outdoor Christmas lights, to leftover DIY decorations from your tree, like Styrofoam snowmen and felt stockings. Plan a day of decorating with your kids based on the ideas you came up with on your inspiration walk.

Make orange cloves.

Buy some fresh oranges, whole cloves and a spool of ribbon. Show your kids how to tie a ribbon around an orange, and then use the pointy end of the clove to pierce the skin of the fruit, eventually dotting the entire surface with cloves. Leave your orange cloves out to dry, and soon your home will begin to smell a lot like Christmas!

Pick out the ultimate spirit-lifting Christmas gift: a trampoline!

With a 10-year-warranty and a revolutionary springless safety design, the Springfree Trampoline makes for an incredible Christmas gift that won’t break down, run out of batteries or get lost on a trip to the grandparents’. Plus, you can shop online and have it delivered right to your door. Watch our website’s delivery section for holiday shipping deadlines to make sure you get yours in time for Christmas morning.

Go to a Christmas market.

Behind on Christmas shopping? Take your family to a Christmas market. It’s a great place to spend time together, enjoy festive treats, and pick out unique, thoughtful, and local gifts for each other.

Make a hot cocoa station for your next bounce.

Everyone is eager to take their turn bouncing on a trampoline, but when the waiting area has a hot cocoa station with toppings like cinnamon, whipped cream, cocoa powder, sprinkles and marshmallows, your kids will have a way to stay warm and happy while they wait.

Go caroling!

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a good singing voice—all that matters when it comes to caroling is your enthusiasm! Don your most festive apparel and visit your neighbors to deliver and earful of holiday cheer. For a bonus, finish your performances by collecting donations for a cause that you’re grateful for during the holidays, whether it’s a charity that gives toys to underprivileged families or a local food bank that makes sure everyone can enjoy a Christmas dinner.

Game night!

If the weather outside is frightful, open up the game cupboard and pick out something to play for a family game night. There’s nothing like gathering around the kitchen table with the snow falling and wind howling outside while you settle in for a fun and comfy night of family fun.

Warm up bounce competition.

See who can keep the warmest on cold days by setting a boisterous bounce record. Give each family member one minute on the trampoline to see who can get in the most bounces, or the most seat drops. The winner gets first turn the next time you go out for a bounce!

Ready for a Great Deal?

Visit www.springfreetrampoline.com for Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals that you can find listed at the top and bottom of this sponsored blog post.

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The post Top 12 Fun Family Holiday Activities first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

There are Amazon affiliate links used throughout this post. If you prefer to search for the item yourself, please do! The main purpose of this blog post is to inspire to you to find the perfect gift for those that aren’t even expecting them.

1. First up! Solid bar shampoo and conditioner. I’ve personally tried these 2 exact products and they are quite effective. I doubted I could get a good sudsy shampoo, or a conditioner that would smooth and detangle my long wavy hair. The hundreds of product reviews were not wrong. This stuff is amazing, and perfect for travel when you don’t want to pollute the earth with tiny plastic hotel shampoo and conditioner bottles. This is your go-to stocking stuffer!! Aspen Kay Shampoo Bar

Aspen Kay Conditioner Bar

2. Next is another product that we loved so much we started making our own. This brand that we purchased lasted longer and looks cuter than the DIY ones we made so I am recommending them here. I love carrying these in my purse to have when I need to wrap up something from a restaurant that the kids couldn’t finish but will likely beg for 5 minutes after we leave the restaurant. Bee’s Wrap

3. I just bought these metal straws for the kids because I had a variety of metal and silicone straws and they would argue over who got the most precious one. It was a battle that morning smoothie time wasn’t intended for. Enter brilliant mommy moment. I purchased identical metal straws. Problem solved! I liked this one because it came with a handy bristle cleaner. Set of 8 reusable stainless steel straws. 

4. This next one is actually on my Christmas list. Right now I am using old t-shirts my daughter made into shopping bags, but some of them are way too big to hold just a few produce items. Plus the weight of the t-shirt really makes a difference when checking out, so I will save those bags for bagging at the end of the shopping trip. I’m sure there are other styles out there, but these are the ones that I want (hint hint). See-Through Reusable and Washable Shopping Bags

5. While on the topic of grocery shopping, I recently saw this set-up in a gentleman’s shopping cart the other day and thought this is truly an invention worth sharing. Holy moly, where has it been all my life?! The best part about this particular one is that one of the sections is a cooler bag. While not a sexy gift, it’s incredibly handy for the family that needs to simplify grocery trips. No need to buy multiple reusable bags, keep these in your car and they go from trunk to shopping cart to kitchen — just don’t forget to put them back in your car….or minivan (let’s be honest). Set of 4 Lotus Trolley Bags

6. Since your environmentalist or minimalist friend appreciates experiences over things, it’s likely they like to have dinner parties to create memories. Clearly this gift is more broad and is perfect for anyone who loves entertaining, just got a new home, or is a foodie and probably has items to knock out a 5-star charcuterie at a moments notice. The Bamboo Cheese Board with Slide-Out Door might be something you want to add to your own wish list!

7. Do you know where you chocolate comes from? No really? Once I read the packaging to this socially-conscious chocolate company, I was hooked in the best kind of way. Their mission is 100% slave-free chocolate. Sadly, slavery and child-labor is still a thing in parts of the world. Eating and gifting Tony’s Chocoloney this year and even just being aware of what is happening in the world with the food you eat is one step closer to helping them with their mission.

8. If you or your spouse is like my husband, you grind your coffee by hand every morning, brew to perfection the perfect cup in your French press or pour over contraption. Buuuut…if it weren’t for my husband, I might just be a tea-only drinker, because I’m admittedly lazy/slow to wake up in the morning. Enter the Nespresso line of products. It’s brain-dead simple, and the best part about it is you mail back all those aluminum pods to the company where they recycle them. My mom and brother are avid fans of this line, so this is what they will be getting this year in their stockings. Until my husband leaves me, I’ll still be buying whole coffee beans and celebrating each morning this nice little gift I am able to receive in my marriage. (PS, this may not be how your husband shows his love, but I’m sure there is something that is unique to your spouse that he/she needs to know how much you appreciate – a little someone reminded me of that and I think it’s great advice). Nespresso 30 pack – Assorted

9. My brother and sister-in-law gave all the kids blankets last year and they absolutely loved them. They’ve used them every night since. You can find eco-friendly materials like recycled cotton, wool, or bamboo online, but this one from the U.K. can also double as a picnic blanket- PERFECT for the experience-type couples or parents who like to get out in nature for a day and tote along a meal. The Tweedmill Eco Friendly All Wool Picnic Throw/Blanket/Rug is repurposed and recycled from unused wool from manufacturing.

10. Last but not least, a gift for your art-minded friends. A book to inspire them to use organic materials for their creations. My mother-in-law, a gifted painter, saves tea bags and uses them as her canvas. After painting a little scene, she then sews the mini canvases to recycled paper and uses them as greeting cards. I love those little pieces of art, and I love this book that shares all sorts of resources you likely have around the house. The Organic Painter book.

Victoria Wise is the Tanglewood Moms founder, publishes Madeworthy magazine in Fort Worth,Texas, raises four awesome kids with her loving husband, and makes time as a board member for non-profits Lone Star Film Festival and Connected Commerce Council. Some of her accomplishments include being inaugural member of Facebook’s SMB Council (now called Leader’s Network), being a Founding Member of TCU Neeley School’s Women to the Power of 10, receiving the Great Women of Texas Award by the FW Business Press, Legacy of Women Award by SafeHaven, and having a successful sale of a previous business.

The post 10 Holiday Gifts for the Environmentalist or Minimalist first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

I’ve been away from fashion for too long. When we got the invitation to attend the Neiman Marcus Blogger event to preview their Spring 2018 Women’s Must Haves, I knew I had to go. My wardrobe needs a refresh, and I was incredibly curious as to what emerging trends could be applicable for a mom’s busy lifestyle. The answer is quite a bit.

The preview started out with delicious bites, cocktails, and mocktails from their cafe which is the perfect outing for moms and daughters. Seriously, do yourself a favor, call your mom, and plan a time this week to have lunch together with your daughter. She wants to see you, and your daughter will feel like a princess surrounded by beautiful things. The food we sampled can also be ordered for your catering needs. Did you know that? Well, now you do.

The deviled eggs were my absolute favorite, and the mix of savory and sweet delighted the senses! Okay, okay, on to the FASHION. This is, after all, why we are here.

The first few looks we viewed addressed some major fashion trends for this spring: STRIPES, FLORALS, and LOGO BAGS.

Lafayette white suit with Alice and Olivia striped silk blouse, Gucci red white and blue patent loafer, Oscar de la Renta red circle straw earring and Gucci handbag with bamboo handle.

The repetition of patriotic stripes with the blouse and handbag gets my vote. See what I did there? I do think that every woman needs a crisp white outfit. It makes you feel pretty and “clean” (this isn’t always synonymous with “mom”), which is why you need it in your life. Trust me. White works wonders. And ssshhhhh to all of you practical people out there. You need this.

Lela Rose Tie Sleeve Crop Top (895) and matching pencil skirt with button placket and Balenciaga white logo crossbody (1290), Sachin & Babi earring (250) and Aquazurra fiery red floral fringed shoes (895)

This look above and below makes my heart leap. A pencil skirt, believe it or not, looks good on a lot of shapes. It elongates the figure and smooths out the area between your bottom and thigh. It also either accentuates a small waist, or creates one. It’s magical, and this Lela Rose one is especially flattering with the pattern on both the top and skirt. The colors are fresh, and NM has perfectly accessorized it with the fringed earrings and shoes. The look can be mixed and matched to dress up or down. This is my personal favorite of all the looks that we saw the whole morning.

Lela Rose Tie Sleeve Crop Top and matching pencil skirt with button placket and Balenciaga white logo crossbody, Sachin & Babi earring and Aquazurra fiery red floral fringed shoes.

Frame silk white and black top, red denim Frame skirt and matching jacket, Valentino black sock bootie with white rockstud detail, and red Marc Jacobs logo tote.

As you can see, the looks on the left and right appeal to a mom set just a bit more. They are polished, yet still youthful. They will function for work, play, and when you need something for a daytime ____event (fill in the blank – shower, church, luncheon, fundraiser).

White and Black nautical jacket Veronica Beard, Dolce and Gabbana pink logo T-Shirt, and Veronica Beard tweed metallic skirt and white Gianvito Rossi clear pointed toe pump and Nancy Gonzalez top handle pink handbag, Oscar de la Renta Earrings and Chloe sunglasses.

The above look is for the young or young at heart. It has a Cher from Clueless vibe, and I dig that. This girl wears pieces stolen from her grandmother’s closet (think 1980s) and with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek mixes them with logo’d or concert tees. She sets the trend. She can be you – I promise you can pull this off. I personally would edit out the pink fringe earrings, but the shoes they paired with this are nothing less than perfection, drawing from the spring trend of a POINTED TOE. Hooray for pointed toes again. They’re feminine and classic, and despite shoe trends, I think they are always appropriate.

We are about to head into looks you need for special occasions.

Dolce & Gabbana sheer floral top, Dolce Floral and Stipe dress, Monolo Blahnik rosette shoe, and Prada black straw tote with floral detail, Oscar de la Renta black and white floral earring, and Prada rose mirrored frames.

The trend you see above hits FLORAL, STRIPE, and the trend that really makes fashion fun, STATEMENT SLEEVES. Look at how gorgeous the print is on a sheer, flowy sleeve? Here is what a top like this does for a mom: 1. Hides the, ahem, bat wings 2. Makes your wrists look small 3. The high neckline with pussy bow covers your décolletage (which in my case has seen better days).

Marchesa Notte navy floral embellished gown, Ralph Lauren denim jacket, Gianvito Rossi navy peeptoe sock bootie, Oscar de la Renta navy floral drop earring, Gucci turban, and Gucci logo navy velvet handbag.

Here’s the thing, ladies. if you’re feeling a Gucci turban, you need to ROCK the Gucci turban. I have some serious bad hair days when the ugly 40-something gray hairs start rearing their heads, but I have not tried hiding under a turban. I just might, though. It’s a crazy fashionable look, and if my mom could pull it off in the 1970s and ’80s in small town America, I am certain I could too. I promise to add it to my Insta-stories if I do. Which reminds me! If you are not already following @TanglewoodMoms on Instagram – here is your formal invitation. Do it already!

What I love about this look is that they took a formal gown and made it wearable for day with a Ralph Lauren denim jacket and peeptoe booties. I think I need those booties.

Marchesa Notte navy floral embellished gown, Ralph Lauren denim jacket, Gianvito Rossi navy peeptoe sock bootie, Oscar de la Renta navy floral drop earring (350), Gucci turban, and Gucci logo navy velvet handbag.

Yes, yes, yes. Must add them to wish list.

See… here I am adding them to my wish list.

One of the trends that Ken Downing, SVP and Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus, pointed out was RAINBOW JEWELRY. Feast your eyes on a certain someone here wearing an on-trend rainbow necklace that I pull-out from time to time. This is why fashion is so fun. What comes around, goes around. Never throw out a great statement piece just because the trend went away. It will be back! As did this Peter Pan collar alá Dannijo.

Carolina Herrera crisp white asymmetrical statement sleeve blouse with Etro printed brocade pant and Libertine embellished jacket, Stuart Weitzman palm printed pump, Sachin and Babi earring, Tory Burch silver metallic top handle handbag.

That is exactly what will happen with all of these darling fringe earrings that have been trending for over a year. They are still hot now, and likely to stick around another year. Then you’ll bring them back out in around 5 years when it’s time for long fringe to trend again. And the best part about jewelry is that it always fits. It’s a mom’s best friend. Deck-out your jewelry closet, and you can make last season’s basics rock again. 

Can we just talk about the Libertine embellished military jacket? If I have a fairy godmother, I would want her to bring this to me. A woman who wears one is graceful and tough and over-the-top, as is all of Libertine. If you have fairy godmother – can you ask her to bring me something from Libertine? Mama want.

(Hey there, @StyleofSam. There’s a mom who knows how to do it all. If you’re not already following her, you should! She’s a Fort Worth fashion blogger and pretty much the coolest person to know.)

Ralph Lauren khaki army jacket, Aidon Mattox sequin metallic dress, Loeffler Randal sock booties in metallic, Chanel sunglasses, and Ashley Pitman layered necklaces.

So I leave you here with my second favorite look of the morning. The stunning Campbell runway model above mixes another military jacket with a zebra pattern metallic dress. I like to call it the zoo meets zoo keeper look. It’s beyond gorge, and her Chanel sunglasses root her firmly in the future. 

I hope all of you have a lovely spring. Make it a fashionable one! As Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolia says, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” I’m pretty sure it was Coco Chanel who originally said it, but when I can throw in a Steel Magnolias reference, I do.

xo,v

The post 2018 Spring Fashion for Moms first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

If you need a potent potable for a gift, Central Market has you covered. From half bottle stocking stuffers to local brews, they have it all! I love giving bubbly, and these road sign tins from Veuve Cliquot are wonderful. (Central Market also has a great selection of caviars, which, with some Veuve, would make a luxurious gift!) If, however, your taste runs more to beer, why not fill up one of these gorgeous growlers with some local beer, available on tap?

Conroe, TX-based Enfusia bath and body products are hand-made, natural, and 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Their bath bombs and salts come in a variety of yummy scents like Lemongrass, Pomegranate, or Coriander Rosewood. Perfect for soaking away holiday stress!

The Central Market cheese department is unparalleled, and the cheese experts are ready for the holidays! They have several cheese platter bags ready to go, or they can help you pull together the perfect platter. Add in some olives, nuts, and bread, and your hors d’oeuvres are ready to go.

If you are running out of time, don’t fret! Central Market’s gift baskets and floral arrangements are the perfect last-minute hostess gift. Their baskets are filled with all sorts of goodies, and they have, hands down, the most beautiful flowers in town. As my younger daughter says, “Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!”

One last idea for your homesick Texan who lives far away: Central Market’s tamales freeze beautifully and can be shipped overnight!

The holidays are stressful. However, Central Market makes gift-giving easy!

Lee Virden Geurkink is a jack of all trades, master of none. She has been a bank teller, a chef and caterer (both in restaurants and in private service), a bookkeeper, a trainer, a legal assistant, and a writer. She is a proud graduate of the University of the South with a degree in Early European History. While she has not used her degree in her, er, varied employment history, she is fabulous at cocktail parties. A newlywed, Lee is the proud mother of two amazing girls to whom she refers on social media as the Girlchildren.

The post Central Market Brings the Cheer! first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Today marks the EIGHTH and FINAL day of our 8 Days of Giveaways on TanglewoodMoms.com!! (Don’t fret – you can enter for ALL of the giveaways up until midnight tonight, Monday, December 18!)

Dearest Reader, we know you’re doing everything you can to make this holiday season absolutely perfect for your loved ones. And to reward you for all your hard work, we have the perfect final giveaway – a massage and facial from the Overton Park Plaza Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Salon! What better way to relax after the holidays? They also have gift cards available and are offering $20 off spa packages through the holidays!

To be entered, simply comment below, letting us know what your favorite holiday movie is. Winner will be announced via our email newsletter on Tuesday, December 19th! We will be including all comments on all the giveaway posts up until tonight, Monday, December 18th at midnight.

Good luck and Merrrrrry Christmas!

The post 8 Days of Giveaways – Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Today marks the SEVENTH day of our 8 Days of Giveaways on TanglewoodMoms.com!!

This one is a doozy! Not only will you get FOUR tickets to Panther Island Ice, which includes skate rentals, you get TEN supreme car washes from Britezone Car Wash! Your family can skate their hearts out, and your car will look great going and coming!

To be entered, simply comment below, letting us know what your favorite holiday dinner side dish is. Winner will be announced via our email newsletter on Tuesday, December 19th! We will be including all comments into the contest until December 18th at midnight.

Good luck and Merrrrrry Christmas!

The post 8 Days of Giveaways – Panther Island Ice AND Britezone Car Wash first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Today marks the SIXTH day of our 8 Days of Giveaways on TanglewoodMoms.com!!

Are you running out of time to get the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Are you struggling to come up with ideas for your list? You need to head to Polka Dot Presents! And to help with your list, they are giving away a charming Park Hill Jingle Bell! It’s the perfect hostess gift.

To be entered, simply comment below, letting us know if you prefer marshmallows or whipped cream on your hot cocoa. Winner will be announced via our email newsletter on Tuesday, December 19th! We will be including all comments into the contest until December 18th at midnight.

Good luck and Merrrrrry Christmas!

The post 8 Days of Giveaways – Polka Dot Presents first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.