What a beautiful Easter we had with the family. I am so blessed that my husband's family is so wonderful and help make holidays so special, even when my parents are hundreds of miles away.  These special holidays make me so proud of the religious education we have been fortunate enough to give our children. Both of my boys understand what we are celebrating on Easter and all the sacrifices He made so that our sins were forgiven.  Jackson's full on committal to Lent this season was also quite celebration on Thursday...bring on the cheese!

Double Digits Scaventure

We wished a very happy 10th birthday to my sweet angel boy, Jackson.  The older the boys get, the more tricky their parties become in terms, of entertainment.  Luckily, my husband and I are pros!  We organized a "Scaventure" birthday party with 10 boys.  A sleep over with a scavenger hunt adventure (aka "scaventure") in and around our house, in the woods, in the neighborhood, on the golf course. It was histerical and the teams had a blast! The double digits is are a milestone and I could not be more proud or more in love with my littlest angel.

Easter Prepping

photo courtesy of Just So Lovely 

I've fallen victim once again to the unattainable creative perfection of Pinterest. The buffet of ideas for this weekend's  Easter dinner has made the family's celebration even more delicious. Found this lovely idea from Lizette and plan to recreate for my table. 

Photo courtesy of Crystal Eats

Special thanks to my sweet friend over at Crystal Eats for lending her ware so that my table setting for 18, will be complete. She also dished some gluten free recipes options that will leave my family clucking well past brunch! Can't wait to try the almond pâté for my vegan guests. 

Politically Correct

Admittedly, I have always enjoyed following politics, studying the branches of the government, and democracy in general.  When it comes to Marketing as a profession, I am sure my fellow PR Pros will agree, there is no more intense relationship building or marketing effort than those led by Professional Lobbyist. Last week I enjoyed learning more about this fast paced occupation while shadowing a Lobbiest around for a day in Annapolis.  It was very eye opening!  

St Patty's Day 8K

After 6 weeks of training, I ran an 8k in Washington, DC last Sunday with a group of girlfriends. We are all Moms and have found that running is great "me" time!  If you can sneak in a post-race celebration cocktails and a beautiful afternoon in DC, well then, what's not to love? 

What was in my run pouch?  iPhone w/ playlist, cash, and lip gloss of course!

Is this thing on?

The Glam Mom is back after a brief interruption!  Thank you to GoDaddy for helping me resolve a lost password and unaccessible 4-year-old email address.   Did ya miss me?

Awkward & Awesome Thursday

Awkward

• A six-point parking job while your boss waits (patiently) so that the two of you can walk into the meeting you are approx 5 minutes late for.
• Wearing fur and wool one day and 67 degrees the next
• Explaining to the Nanny that you absolutely knew the 4th grade report on Lord Calvert was due the next day, regardless of how unprepared it looks.  And regardless that it was Monday and you had all weekend to work on it. 
• Knowing that same Nanny was a huge help on Saturday night when you and the husband decided a date night was a good idea ....yeah, no time for school reports.
• Emceeing the Armed Forces Interoperability Symposium calm, cool, and collected with spray paint from the Maryland history costume all over my hands. 
• A speedo at the Polar Plunge this weekend #skrinkage
• Asking my husband if we could have a commercial previewing party this weekend...crickets. 
• My husband's 'fun-loving' buddy hacking my Facebook and posting the lyrics "Sardines...hey...and Pork and Beans" . #stepawayfromthesmartphone  
• Using hash tags in your blog posts

Awesome

• Making costumes for my kids and work on school projects together... this is the closest thing this boy mom gets to playing dress up  :-) 
• Raising awareness and much needed funds for the local soup kitchen at our 2nd Polar Plunge in the Bay
• A well received ice-breaker at the podium in front of 200 IT Engineers. "Hope you all enjoyed your lunch and had a chance to discuss your picks for this weekend's big Baseball Championship" -yeah, I love sports too
• A long chat with my baby sister on Saturday. Love her.
• Cleaning and organizing the (family) iPad that has way too many kids games. 
• Cool new app for fashion lovers and husbands everywhere:  Tie Right 

Lord Calvert 

Wool and Fur

That's a wrap

Sometimes only a classic will do.

Girlfriends come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and geographical locations. I am blessed with many amazing women in my life who I feel privileged to call a girlfriend. Though sometimes, only a classic will do.  In  the past 2 years my long time girl friends and I have all been transplanted like little blossoming flowers from Wyoming to Kentucky - Maryland to Florida.  I miss them dearly, but it certainly makes for interesting getaways, and an even better sisterhood of the traveling...everything!  To make sure we don't miss out on the clothes swaps that we used to enjoy on any given Saturday, we enjoy a shipping label or 4 throughout the year. Especially generous is my dear friend *L* who recently abandoned the corporate world for a life better spent in martini-splashed domestic bliss! [can you hear the dripping jealousy?].  

Lucky for me!  Her gorgeous designer labeled suits have found a good home in MD! 

The second cool factor about a *L* is her new home in Lexington, KY.  After a couple of visits, I fell in love with this booming city where horses and Ralph Lauren alike, must go for inspiration.   The outfit I styled today has made me think of my beloved friend all day. Somewhat, because the pants and top are hers. Mostly, because her graceful, fun style and personality are part of who I am today. She is my classic. She is my home. 

Glam Mom Interrupted...

for this brief message from a sick little boy...

(I know, right?!   Such a brave little guy, only one little tear after his strep test at the pediatrician's office...)


And this message from an attention hogging little girl...

Holly after a long day at the spa!  Thanks Chesapeake Pet Resort & Spa

The Glam Mom will be back in full swing after this busy unscheduled break!

Christmas Wishes

Another amazing holiday season has come and gone.  I cherish each of these precious years so much knowing that my 5 and 9 year may not always believe in Santa, though I hope that the magic of this special time of year will live in their hearts forever.  Here are a couple highlights of our Christmas in Florida!

Our new little girl, Holly. She was on top of the lists!

She took a long nap after an early morning of  Santa induced excitement!

A beautiful Christmas Dinner at my grandmother's house.  I so enjoyed helping her set her table with my the china and silver, given to my great grandmother, on her wedding day.  

A night out with my besties!

Lovely gifts (these were waiting for us when we returned!)

 Legoland in my hometown of Winter Haven, FL

Amazing family memories of our Christmas vacation 2011.

;

Company Party Do's & Dont's

As an Executive, it is important to maintain a few etiquette essentials in front of co-workers at your company holiday party. Here are a few to keep in mind.  

DO: 

Dress professionally and bring a guest if appropriate.

The party is an extension of the office and your attire should reflect such.  A guest allows coworkers get to know you a little better, and introduces your guest or spouse to your workplace.

Have one celebratory cocktail, with which to toast, keeping the party light and friendly. 

___________________________________________________________

 DON'T:

dance to every 80's song like it's your last night on earth.

perform (what you think is) a choreographed routine to any song on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. 

insist that every guest "come 'on ride that train"

down martini #3 before you're up at karaoke 

sing karaoke. 

ever.

and (for God's sake) DO NOT debut your rendition of Sir Mix-A-lot's "Baby Got Back", even if you do know the intro lyrics by heart.  No one at your company knows who Becky is. 

Cheers

My pick for the 2011 Holiday Cocktail? 

The Peppermint Patty 

Ingredients

1 oz. peppermint schnapps

1 oz. créme de cacao

1 oz. light cream
chocolate syrup

crushed candy canes

Directions 
Add liqueurs to cocktail shaker with ice and mix vigorously. Rim cold martini glass in chocolate syrup and dip in crushed candy canes or peppermint sticks.  

Garnish with a few girlfriends and Enjoy.

Cheers to you and yours this holiday season!

Oh Christmas Tee!

2 little boys + golfer traffic on a beautiful day = 1 challenging photo shoot!

Forgive the poor photo quality, I scanned in our actual card. 

Special thanks to the talent and creativity at Suzanne Modlin Design for producing the 2011 Heimer Christmas Card!

Outtakes

Tutorial: recyclable Lunch bag

After planning for my son's 5th birthday which included a bagged lunch, I decided that I needed something a little more special for our guests than a regular ol' brown paper bag.  I thought a reuseable bag made for a nice favor for my little guys' preschool aged guests. Here's how it went down (a.k.a the tutorial).

Start with a sturdy felt fabric. Using a color that mocks that of the classic brown bag, makes for a whimsical surprise.

1) Cut into 12" by 14" panels (2 panels = 1 bag).

2) Pair 2 panels together and cut 2 1/5 x 2 1/5 notches out of each side.

3) sew the left, right, and bottom strip. leave the cut outs unsewn.

Optional: using pinking shears cut along of the full end (what will be the top of the bag)

4) Pinch together the cut outs sewing a straight light attaching the corner of your bag.

Repeat on the opposite corner, finishing your bag!

Felt stick on letters like the ones I used here, are easy applied and personalize the bag.  

Enjoy your green, brown lunch bag! 

A great tutorial at Skip to my Lou using oil cloth.