Ask Away Friday w/ Drea from So She Writes by Miss Dre

So excited to be kicking off the first Ask Away Friday of the year with the lovely Drea from So She Writes by Miss Dre. I love her blog and I've been following it for a long time. She writes about all things beauty, fashion and mommy hood. Love it. Her style, beauty and fashion sense is amazing. She also writes about music and will have you on iTunes spending all your spare change to create the perfect playlist.  I am always reminded about songs or albums I haven't listened to in a while after visiting her blog. 

As you know Ask Away Friday is a link-up hosted by Penny from The Real Housewife of Caroline County.

And here are Drea's questions for me...

1. Congrats to you and hubby celebrating 8 years of marriage! If you could give a newlywed woman a bit of marital advice, what would it be?

Gee. I would tell her to make sure she has a life full of hobbies and friends outside of her marriage, keep family and friends out of the personal aspects of her marriage and let your man be a man. And remember teamwork makes the dream work!

2. What TV couple (past or present) remind you most of you and your husband? Why?

I would say it's a tie between Martin and Gina and Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. We have that comedic chemistry that Martin and Gina have but at the same time we're still very much like the college kids who met years ago. Just smarter.

One of my favorite episodes of Martin...

3. Savannah and MJ have a sitter for the night, so at the spur of the moment you and hubby now have a date night. What are you wearing? What color lips are you rocking? How are you wearing your hair?

Hmmm. At the spur of the moment I'd probably reach for my go-to best fitting jeans, a sheer loose fitting black blouse, either black heels or booties and gold hoop ear rings. I'd without a doubt have a red lip and my hair would probably be either in a top knot if my hair happens to be straight or in a wash n go if it's curly.

4. I always ask this question: If your life had a soundtrack, what would be the top three songs?

Right now I'm going to have to go with Beyonce's 'Grown Woman', Prince's 'Pop Life' and Sounds of Blackness 'Black Butterfly'. There are so many songs that make up the soundtrack to my life but those are the first three that come to mind.

5. Tell me one thing about yourself you've never shared on your blog.

Something that I haven't shared here is that in the fourth grade I broke my femur bone and I was in a body cast for the whole school year. I had to be home schooled. Luckily, my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Jane Timmerman, volunteered to come to my house everyday after school to teach me. I will never forget that. 

6. What are three wardrobe staples you feel every Chic SAHM should own?

A great pair of jeans that fit perfect, a nice white blouse and leopard flats. (Leopard flats go with literally everything.)

7. Last week we talked briefly about "Flirty30" and checking out Vegas. What is one thing you would like to do or accomplish before turning 30?

Gee. Since I turn 30 next month…I think one thing I'd like to accomplish is making the gym/working out a part of my regular routine. If I can do that I'll be pretty happy with myself.

8. You talk about fitness and being a part of #TeamSnapBack often here. What motivates you to keep working out-- even on the days you just don't "feel" like it?

Honestly. The fact that I plan to wear a leather mini skirt next month motivates me. Cause less face it…That mini skirt is still going to be a mini whether I'm a mini or not. 

9. I smiled when I saw you were a Carolina girl, too. When you were here, where were your favorite places to shop and dine?

I am from Charlotte. Almost all of the malls in Charlotte were pretty decent. The city has grown so much since I last lived there. Some of my favorite places to eat don't even exist anymore but just in case I have some QC residents reading this I loved Pancho & Lefty's and Midtown Sundries.

10. I read on your blog that the four years you spent in DC really shaped you to become "your true self." What is the greatest life lesson you learned while out in the District?

The greatest thing that I learned there is to be yourself. I got to meet and work with people from all over the world there. It was great and I'm still really good friends with many of them. DC taught me to be open to new opportunities and to always hustle hard for the things I want. I might be a stay at home mom now but I still have a hustler's spirit.

I had a great time swapping questions with Drea. Be sure to stop by her blog to see the questions that I had for her!

Ask Away Friday w/ Carissa from Green Eyed Lady Blog

I haven't done Ask Away Friday in a few weeks. I'm not sure why. Maybe I've been busy with the kids being sick and getting ready for Christmas. Anyway. When Carissa asked me to be her partner this week I was very excited. I enjoy her blog so much. Her daughter, Emma, is the cutest! Check her blog out to see the questions I had for her…

1. How was your Christmas? What did you all do for the Holiday?
Christmas was great! We hung out around the house all day. After we opened gifts I made breakfast. Once breakfast was done we played with all of toys the kids received. We put together puzzles, played board games and watch movies. Very low-key.

2. I love how you incorporate fitness into your blog...for someone that has to get it ALL THE WAY together in 2014, what are 3 things that can give me a kick start to losing weight and getting back healthy?
For some reason I feel the need to throw out a disclaimer here, LOL!! I am not a doctor, dietician, physical trainer or nutritionist BUT I do like to eat right and I am slowly starting to add workouts to my daily routine. My advice would be to drink lots of water (and green tea), eat as clean as possible and try to workout for at least 30 minutes everyday for the first 22 days. They say it takes 22 days to form (or break) a habit so hopefully you'll start hitting a stride by day 23. Good Luck! Oh. And join the #OperationSnapback movement going on at Baby Teems.

3. What are some of your goals for 2014? And how do you keep track of them(write them out, keep them in your phone on a special app) how do you hold yourself accountable?
In 2014 I want to be more patient with these kids (mainly Sav and her case of the 3s). I want to get into great shape. And I'd love to work some personal writing projects that I've been putting off. To keep up with my goals I put them on our family's "big board". It's where all things important to the people that live here go.

4. What was your favorite blog post from 2013?
Hmm. That's a tough one. I would say that I really loved my series on Thanksgiving and I also loved adding videos to the blog. Check some of my videos out on the Chic TV page.

5. Its a few of us bloggers that are turning the big 3-0 at the same time...what are you looking forward to most in your 30's?
Going to Vegas. I have never been. I am also looking forward to living fearlessly. For some reason I associate being authentically you without fear of what others will think with turning 30.

6. How do you plan to bring in the New Year?
Hahaha, I plan to ring in the new year right here at home. We might have champagne and food if we decide to stay up. If not, I'll be ringing in the New Year getting some beauty sleep.

7. You know I have always admired the "Homeschooling with Savannah" where did you get your lesson plans, or your ideas?
Thank you! It's a big mix. I get some ideas from Pinterest and some ideas from Sav's teacher. A lot of what we do is done on the fly though. I make up stuff as we go. Like the paper plate snowman that we made was something that I came up with that morning during breakfast.

8. What would you do if you had a "day to yourself"? 
I would get a mani, pedi, facial and massage. Then I would get something really amazing to eat, cuddle up in my bed and watch TV all day.

9. Its your turn to plan date night, but it cant be a traditional date night...what do you plan?
Oh gosh, LOL! I think a scavenger hunt or an Amazing Race type date would be fun. My husband is competitive and he would really like something like that.

10. What do you love most about living in Texas?
I am going to be honest here, LOL!!! I really love the friends that I have here and that's probably about it. I am an East coast girl and I always will be. I like having four seasons and being able to find yummy Chinese food when I want it. I also miss being in driving distance to family. Of course we could drive back home but an 18 hour car ride with two kids is not my cup of tea at all.

I had a great time linking up with Carissa. Don't forget to swing by her place to see the questions I had for her and see the cuteness that is baby Emma.

Ask Away Friday is a link up hosted by Penny from The Real Housewife of Caroline County.

Ask Away Friday

This week I'm linking up with the uber Fab Wendy from Effie Girl! I had a blast answering her questions. Be sure to swing by her blog and read the answers she had for me. Wendy blogs about jewelry, DIY projects, RAW food and beauty products. LOVE!

Here are the questions she had for me...

1. Many of us eat light, or have a big breakfast before the big feasting ahead.  What is your typical Thanksgiving breakfast? 

I don't think I have a typical Thanksgiving breakfast. I'd say I'm a lighter eater that morning for sure.

2. What was your very first blog spot about, and what was your expectation?

My very first post was an introduction to what I thought it meant to be a Chic SAHM. Back then I think I actually wrote more. Now I think I talk to my readers versus writing for them if that makes any sense. I miss my older posts. I should start sharing them on twitter or something.

3. In watching the GREAT video with your husband, I know you "don't" want to be "voted most like any Atlanta Housewife", but which RHW do you think you are most like? 

Aww, thanks for checking out the video! honestly can not think of one RHW that I'm similar to. Some of them have an ambition that I can relate to but I don't think I see "Tia" in any of them. I do love NeNe. I think she's hilarious. If anything, we share the same sense of humor. 

4. You've tricked your husband into thinking your taller than 5'4" (haha, too funny), how high of a heel do you where on a normal 'chic' day?

Four inches at least…

5. Siblings at times have issues with new babies coming home. Did Savannah have any 'issues' when Baby M first came home?  Or soon after?  

Savannah has been such a great big sister. We didn't experience any of the horror stories or transition periods that you hear about. Thank goodness. She's going through her normal crazy 3s but I think she would have unleashed that on us without a sibling.

6. How many F2FF's have you done, and link your favorite one. (Could be by you, or anyone that joined the link-up.) 

Hmmm. I'm not sure how many Face to Face Fridays I've done. That link up didn't really take off that way that I'd hoped. I'm going to keep it around. I've got plans for a revival. I always enjoyed watching Yaya White's videos. She's a Mom of four who recently gave birth at home to a sweet baby boy. Yaya is a super Mom and a nurse. She's pretty much incredible. Check her out.

7. With the letters in  your name "TIA", use each letter to describe yourself. 

Timeless style. Intelligent. Ambitious.

8. What inspires you, to 'be'?

Trying to live a better life by remaining positive is inspiring to me. I am learning  to cast my cares on God and that has been totally freeing. The more my relationship grows with Him the more I am inspired to 'be'.

9. When do you put your Christmas decorations up?

Thanksgiving night. Sometimes I get excited and put them up before but normally it's Thanksgiving night.

10. Do you do anything for New Year's Eve to celebrate into the New Year?

Before we had kids we'd stay up and watch the ball drop or go to a house party. Now that we're parents we never make it to midnight. We ring in the New Year by getting those much needed REMs.

Oh. And I will be giving you all a recap of my Thanksgiving. I have family in town and I haven't been able to blog much this week. Be prepared for a "Tia Overdose" this coming week. I know you love it!

If you want to link up with Ask Away Friday let me know and I can get you connected! Visit Penny at The Real Housewife of Caroline County for more details.

Ask Away Friday

I'm really enjoying this link up! This week I am teaming up with Stacy from This Momma's Ramblings. Stacy is a stay at home Mom who home schools. She's a romance novel lover who's new to learning about the frugal lifestyle. Be sure to stop by her blog and read the answers to the questions I had for her. You'll enjoy learning more about her! Stacy is also the host of a weekly blog hop. If you're a blogger check that out. I've made some great new blog friends from her hop.

Now for the questions…

1. What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

My favorite thing about motherhood is watching the world through my children's eyes. They remind me to slow down and not take everything so seriously.

2. What piece of advice would you give your 15 yr old self?

To make a long story short… I would tell my 15 year old self that dating at this age is almost absolutely pointless. Focus more on school and getting into college.

3. Have you ever had the chance to meet any of the blogging friends that you have made?

Yes I have! Before we moved to Texas I attended a BLM (Bloggers Like Me) meet-up where I had the opportunity to meet some of my favorite bloggers. I was still pretty new to blogging then and it was pretty cool getting to meet a lot of the ladies in person.

4. What is your fondest dream that you have yet to accomplish?

Becoming a published author...

5. Is there someone in your life that helped become the woman that you are?

There are many. My Mother, Father, Husband, Oprah…it took a village to raise this girl!

6. What movie would you watch over and over again? Any reason why?

Gee. This is a tough because there are several movies I could watch over and over. In no particular order I could watch Coming to America, It's Complicated, Mean Girls, Clueless, No Reservations, Baby Mama, Jumping the Broom -- Almost anything with Morris Chestnut in it. I love watching movies at home so this list doesn't even cover everything I keep on repeat. 

7. What is one recipe that you remember from your childhood that you make for your family?

Chewy Cake

8. How does your hubby feel about your blogging?

He's very supportive. We're actually going to film a video for the blog this weekend. I can't wait to share it with you all!

9. What is one dessert that you will go for above anything else?

I am a brownie girl. 

10. If you were given 1 million dollars, what would you do with it?

Pay off my student loans, put money away for my children, take a world class super fancy vacation and buy a house.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about me! Thank you to Penny from the RHOCC for hosting!

Ask Away Friday

I'm participating in Ask Away Friday again this week. This Friday I am linking up with Melissa from Home on Deranged. She is a fellow Texas blogger who writes about her life as a Mom, photographer and writer. She also has some great giveaways going on right now too. When you're done here click your way over to her blog to see the answers to the questions I had for her.

1. What would be your perfect Christmas destination and what would you do there?

The perfect Christmas destination would be back at home in the Carolinas or Georgia. My parents live there and it would be great for the kids to spend the holiday with them. I'd also like to see my nieces and nephews. That would be perfect.

2. If you were a reporter for Rolling Stone and could follow any band in the world, which one would it be?

This is an easy one. I would follow Beyonce. I still hate that I couldn't go see The Mrs. Carter show. Maybe next time Bey, maybe next time…

3. What is your ultimate blogging goal?

Hmmm. I'm not sure what my ultimate goal is to be honest. Right now, my blog is still a hobby that I enjoy. It's been great connecting with other mothers who enjoy writing and sharing their story. I'd like to see it grow into something fun. I like chatting back and forth with the Moms that come here. We'll see what happens…

4. What is your one homemaking skill that you would like to improve?

I could be more efficient with laundry. I hate doing laundry.

5. As an Army wife, you will likely move many places. Where is the one place you'd love to live for a while?

Well. We've lived in DC, San Antonio (this is our second time in SA) and Georgia. I'd love to get stationed in either Hawaii, Germany or Okinawa, Japan. Three years is the longest I could probably live anywhere though. This life has rubbed off on me.

6. What's your favorite guilty pleasure and when is the last time you indulged it?

Hmmm. Guilty pleasure? I don't tend to feel guilty about the things I enjoy. I indulge myself often. Right now I'm on a spicy dip kick. I've been treating my appetite to it a couple nights a week. Yum.

7. What's the one thing you miss most about your life before having children?

Free time. The ability to "run" in to the store for one thing. I miss grabbing a drink at the gas station. Happy hour. Date nights every weekend.

8. Tell me a secret about yourself that no one knows.

I'm not sure that I have a secret that absolutely no one knows. ;-)

9. As a chic mama, what are you trying to teach your children about being fashionable?

My hope is that they learn that while it's nice to look put together it means nothing if you don't actually have it all together. You should care about what you look like on the inside and on the outside.

10. If you had a day all to yourself, how would you spend it?

I would spend the day eating Chinese food, getting spa treatments and watching girly TV and movies. Kid and Husband free.

Thought Bubbles...

Bath & Body Works no longer sells my night time body splash. It got discontinued. That happens every time I fall in love with one of their scents. Every. Time…

So happy that the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills is back…

This week has worn me out emotionally and mentally. So glad it's almost over…

We might be walking in the Veteran's Day parade again. Gotta get outfits together for that…

I have had so much Dr. Pepper this week…

Tonight was "watch night" at Savannah's dance class. I'm not sure how much she likes dance but she looks cute doing it…

My big girl camera died five minutes into class. I knew that was going to happen...

The older I get the more I realize that the phrase, "Less is more.", applies to more than just makeup…

 I need a pedicure. And some girl friend time…

I think I want to dye some of the front pieces of my hair a la Tia Mowry-Hardrict

(c)

Or maybe I should just do a weave…

I'm not here for some of the personalities I've come into contact with lately. Some of these SAHMs are too much. And they shouldn't be…

There's a never worn before black maxi dress with a thigh high split hanging in my closet. Might have to break that out on our next date night. He ain't ready...

I have no idea what shoes to wear with it though...

"Bitch" has been on the tip of my tongue more times than I'd like to admit this week. Thank God for progress…

My Mother in Law is coming to visit this month…

I need some real sushi. From a real Japanese restaurant…

I went to NYC for my 25th Birthday. A year later I found out I was pregnant with Savannah…

Which reminds me that we were living in DC then. Miss that place with a passion…

Am I the only one excited about The Best Man Holiday & Morris Chestnut…

I think I'm in love with Andy Cohen…

Savannah didn't want to do somersaults at dance tonight. She said she didn't want to mess up her hair…

My teething baby needs some sleep training…

I've been saying, "I'm not here for (fill in the blank)" a lot lately…

I feel like Scandal is all over the place this season…

I really want a tulle skirt…

(c)

I can't believe it's 10 and I'm still up in front of this computer…

My husband is asleep on the couch downstairs. I do not feel like going down there to wake him up…

Andy Cohen just came on. I wasn't kidding. I love him…

I really need to start working out…

This is a link up…

Thought Bubbles Link Up Announcement...

Wow. November is here. 2013 flew by. Too fast for me. I wanted to invite all of my fellow bloggers to something special going on here on the blog next Thursday. A few bloggers requested that I do a link up for my Thought Bubbles post so next Thursday (November 7) is going to be the day. 

Thought Bubbles are my random way of getting things off my chest. If you've never checked out a Thought Bubbles post click here or here to get an idea of what we'll be doing. It's one of my favorite things here on the blog. I hope some of you will join me. Include as many photos and "Thought Bubbles" as you'd like. This should be fun! Have a great weekend!

Face to Face Friday

Happy Friday!!! This weekend we'll be going to a Halloween Trunk or Treat at my husband's job. Fun! I can not wait to get all dressed up for a little fun with my family. Love it! Savannah has a field trip tomorrow too so we'll be very busy.

Feel free to link up your video post or YouTube video. Have a great weekend everyone!

Face to Face Fridays

Happy Friday everyone! This week I am talking about how taking a break in our activity schedule really helped me out. Of course, my kids are video bombing! Enjoy! I'll be visiting everyone's videos. Be sure to grab the button for the link to help get the word out. I'd love to see some new faces around here! Have a great weekend!

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Chic Link Up: Ask Away Friday

This week for #AskAwayFriday I am linking up with my girl Baby Teems. Teems is not new to The Chic SAHM. She has been a guest blogger here before and Savannah and I have been featured in her #AWiseKid series. Head over to her blog after you read my answers to her questions. She's a DC Mama with a good sense of humor and the cutest little boy ever. 

Do you think you could live outside the U.S.? If so, where?

I could absolutely live outside the US. Being an Army Wife I may actually get the chance to live abroad one day and I'm looking forward to it. I would love for us to get stationed in Germany. We would be able to bounce around Europe and really see some amazing places. Taking the Army out of the equation I would say I'd love to live in Sydney, Australia. Whenever Sydney is on House Hunters or Living Abroad I am always so in awe of their beautiful beaches and laid back lifestyle.

Which TV/Movie H.S. crowd best describes your crowd when you were in H.S? (I.E. Mean Girls, Gossip Girls, Saved By The Bell, Clueless)

I would say my HS crowd was a mix between Saved By The Bell and Clueless. I grew up with a very smart, progressive and forward thinking bunch of teenagers. We all were involved in either a sport, student council or some other type of school organization. On the weekends many of us had jobs. We all had our license at 16 and had cars. So. Saved By The Bell because our school was VERY happy go lucky, pep rally and Friday Night Football like. But Clueless because we had very adult ways of thinking and socializing. Oh. And everyone in my group of friends went on to graduate from college. Some of them are lawyers, my BFF is a Recreational Therapist and some work for the government. Not too bad.

Name something on your bucket list.

Seeing Beyonce in concert and (I am still sour about missing the Mrs.Carter show. I was too busy having a baby.) taking a dream vacation.

If your instincts tell you to give a stranger a fake name, what would it be?

Whitley Gilbert. ;-)

What is your most used phrase/word?

Lately my catch phrase has been,"Won't He do it." I say it under my breath. Sometimes as a statement but mostly as a question. It drives my husband nuts. I can thank Tamar Braxton for that.

I also have become a fan of the term "shade". 

Your kid dresses him/herself with pride wacky one day.... Do you let them leave the house with their outfit or do you suggest small change in clothes?

As long as it's not pajamas she/he can wear it. 

Which current reality show cast would you most likely fit in?

Gosh, this is tough because I am a big reality TV fan. (judge if you must) I don't think I'd fit in with any of the Housewives because they fight too much and my life is not drama filled in the least bit. So. I would have to say that I'd probably be a good candidate for a show like Wife Swap or some show that follows the life of a stay at home Mom. I really do think my little family is funny. While we may not be watchable for an entire season we could definitely give you one or two really good episodes.

Name one bad habit.

I'm a Coca-Cola drinker. Always have been and probably always will be. I need it in my system. I haven't been drinking it as much because I'm still nursing but I love me some ice cold Coca-Cola.

What kind of food are you usually in the mood for?

I am ALWAYS in the mood for Chinese food. Living in Texas, good Chinese is hard to come by. I dream about and live for the moment that I am living in a place where Chinese is available the way Mexican is here.

What is one thing we wouldn't catch you doing?

You would never catch me smoking a cigarette or tossing back a beer. I think smoking is the single most unattractive thing a woman can do. I have never liked the taste of beer so you'll never catch me drinking one. I'm a wine girl.

Linking up with The Real Housewife of Caroline County and The Bold Fab Mom.

Face to Face Fridays: Super Mom Tag Edition

Happy Friday! This week I am linking up with The Real Housewife of Caroline County for the Super Mom tag on YouTube. Since I do a video every Friday I was very happy to join this link up and meet some other Moms. 

Share your video posts with me! I love watching them and hearing about what's going on with every one. Please grab the button or mention the link up in your videos going forward. I really want to get the word out about this link up. I want to see some more pretty faces around here and I know some of y'all "working" on a video, LOL! 

Have a great weekend!

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Face to Face Fridays Link Up

Face to Face Fridays is back this week. Just to clear up any confusion you might have your video does not have to be a new or current video. Any YouTube video or blog post containing a video can be linked up. It has to be family friendly. No nakedness or twerking please. Keep it classy around these parts. Can't wait to check out everyone's videos this weekend.

Chic Link Up: Face to Face Fridays Week Four

Hi everyone! If you're new to this link up thanks for joining us! We don't have many rules here. The only thing that I ask is that your link contain a video. It can be a link to your blog post with video or a link to a video on YouTube. All are welcome!

Feel free to tweet, FB, Google+, grab the button (it's in the sidebar) and share. I'd love to see some new faces around here. Have a great weekend!