It’s Pajama Party time! And this month, it’s all about Valentine’s Day and our loves. I am so, so, so excited to have such a lovely lady (both inside and out) co-hosting with me…fashion blogger, wife and mom of three…this gal gets her pretty on every single day…
It’s Alison from Get Your Pretty On!
Here’s how Alison describes her blog…
Get Your Pretty On was started in September of 2012 after I got stuck in a mom rut when I quit acting and got laid off from my corporate job. I thought that documenting my outfits for the world to see would keep me accountable for getting ready on a daily basis. It worked! I love providing affordable daily outfit inspiration and easy beauty tips for other mamas who like to feel pretty.
You see why I love this girl? She speaks my language! And now, we’re curled up by the fire, drinking coffee, nibbling on Valentine’s M&Ms and of course, in our pajamas. Since we’re both busy mamas, we’re totally loving this time away for some girl talk…about Valentine’s Day.
First up, we’re discussing how we celebrate the littlest loves in our lives…our kiddos.
What Valentine’s Day treats do your kids enjoy?
Alison: Chocolate
covered strawberries! We melt dark, milk
and white chocolate and then dip them in sprinkles and crushed nuts. Yummy.
covered strawberries! We melt dark, milk
and white chocolate and then dip them in sprinkles and crushed nuts. Yummy.
Shay: We love making Valentine’s cookies! Anything with sprinkles makes my kids so happy!
Let’s pause a minute to look at Alison’s family…
…I know. You’re thinking that I found this image on J Crew’s website or something…but no. This is really her family. Aren’t they all gorgeous? And how in the world does she have kids that are teens? She looks 25!
I digress…
What do you do special for your kids on Valentine’s Day?
Alison: When our
youngest daughter was a toddler, she called Valentine’s Day “Lovin’ Day”. It’s kind of stuck since then. So we decorate the kitchen for Lovin’ Day and
cook a meal together.
youngest daughter was a toddler, she called Valentine’s Day “Lovin’ Day”. It’s kind of stuck since then. So we decorate the kitchen for Lovin’ Day and
cook a meal together.
Shay: My mom would always give Sean and me a little Valentine’s Day present at breakfast. There was always a card and then something small. My dad would always make us something special for breakfast to go along with our goodies (like pancakes), so Andrew and I are keeping this tradition for our kids too.
Now…we move from celebrating with our babies to celebrating with our hubbies :).
Do you and your hubby stay in for Valentine’s Day or go out?
Alison: Stay in. When
the kids were little, we went out every year because it was only one of two
date nights we got per year. The other
was our anniversary. Now that the kids
are older and we have freedom to go out more often, we usually stay in and do a
family Valentine’s dinner with them.
the kids were little, we went out every year because it was only one of two
date nights we got per year. The other
was our anniversary. Now that the kids
are older and we have freedom to go out more often, we usually stay in and do a
family Valentine’s dinner with them.
Shay: We usually stay in. Before kids, we would go out to dinner but now, we kind of celebrate the holiday with the kids too. It’s about love…and we love being a family. (And our anniversary is a few weeks later, so we always get a fancy dinner out on that night!)
Are you and your hubby gift givers on Valentine’s Day?
Alison: We don’t do Valentine’s gifts but he always does
something really romantic for me. One
year, he filled the inside of my car with balloons while I was at work. That was a cool surprise! Until I had to drive home, then it was
dangerous. LOL!
something really romantic for me. One
year, he filled the inside of my car with balloons while I was at work. That was a cool surprise! Until I had to drive home, then it was
dangerous. LOL!
Shay: This might be shocking to some…but Andrew and I never exchange gifts (gasp!). Gifts are not either one of our love languages, so we don’t bother. Instead, I’ll go to Nordstrom or somewhere else and buy myself something at some random time and say, “by the way this is for my birthday/anniversary/Christmas.” And he usually buys himself a gun or something manly and does the same. We’re so romantic ;).
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day meal?
Alison: I’m a steak kind of girl. The rarer the better, with a baked sweet
potato and some steamed broccoli on the side.
potato and some steamed broccoli on the side.
Shay: Pasta. Pasta. And more pasta.
Ahhh…we grab some more M&Ms and another cup of coffee and discuss how we survive this silly cold weather.
What is the most worn item in your closet this month?
Alison: Most definitely leggings. February is one of the coldest months in
Texas, so I go for comfort.
Texas, so I go for comfort.
Shay: My Wellies. They’re not just for rain! They keep my toes all nice and cozy warm during the cold weather.
What are you most looking forward to for spring fashion?
Alison: Ballet flats!
As much as I love my boots, by the end of winter, I’m really, really
tired of all of them.
As much as I love my boots, by the end of winter, I’m really, really
tired of all of them.
Shay: I’ve missed my wedges and shorts! Nothing delights me more than a pair of shorts and tall wedges.
How do you stay active during the cold and dreary month of February?
Alison: Our golden retriever is my accountability
partner. She doesn’t care what the
weather’s like; she wants her walk every day.
I also run on my treadmill and go to yoga. There’s nothing like a nice warm yoga studio
on a cold day.
partner. She doesn’t care what the
weather’s like; she wants her walk every day.
I also run on my treadmill and go to yoga. There’s nothing like a nice warm yoga studio
on a cold day.
Shay: I love to take classes indoors during the cold months. A great class keeps me motivated and fit during the winter.
What are your favorite snowy day indulgences?
Alison: Drinking hazelnut
coffee all day, eating a big fat chile relleno and lounging in my fleece lined
leggings. I also eat two pieces of Dove
dark chocolate with almonds every. single. day.
The kids know if mama’s out of chocolate, there’s about to be a family
emergency!
coffee all day, eating a big fat chile relleno and lounging in my fleece lined
leggings. I also eat two pieces of Dove
dark chocolate with almonds every. single. day.
The kids know if mama’s out of chocolate, there’s about to be a family
emergency!
This is where I gasp and Alison and I realize we were separated at birth! Here is my answer…
Shay: I love drinking coffee all day as I work around the house. I also love having one little brownie each night by the fire while I indulge in my favorite reality TV.
…Alison and I are meant to be besties.
How do you change your skincare/makeup during the cold months?
Alison: Much, MUCH more moisture. I drink lots of water and take fish oil to
help stay hydrated from the inside, plus switch out my lighter moisturizers and
body wash to more hydrating ones. I also
take shorter showers with cooler water to keep my skin from drying out too much
and apply moisturizer more than once per day.
Our whole family uses Aquaphor to keep our lips moist.
help stay hydrated from the inside, plus switch out my lighter moisturizers and
body wash to more hydrating ones. I also
take shorter showers with cooler water to keep my skin from drying out too much
and apply moisturizer more than once per day.
Our whole family uses Aquaphor to keep our lips moist.
Shay: I pile on the moisturizer and I also switch to a more hydrating tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. My favorite is Bobbi Brown. It has great coverage while also moisturizing at the same time.
And every month, I ask all of my co-host the same set of 12 questions. Here is how Alison answered her questions…
1. What is your favorite cosmetic?
Smashbox primer.
I can’t start my makeup without it!
I can’t start my makeup without it!
I love it too! Just Thursday, Erika and I were chatting about how fabulous it is!
2. What is your favorite beauty product?
Sonia
Kashuk Yellow Alluriana body butter. I
go through a tub of it every few weeks. It
literally melts into skin, moisturizes without being greasy and the scent lasts
all day long.
Kashuk Yellow Alluriana body butter. I
go through a tub of it every few weeks. It
literally melts into skin, moisturizes without being greasy and the scent lasts
all day long.
3. What is your favorite TV show?
We watch all of the singing competitions –
American Idol, The Voice and The X Factor but we also love Mike & Molly and
Sleepy Hollow. Our kids love watching old
sitcoms with us like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Mr. Ed and Gilligan’s
Island. There’s something kind of
magical about those old shows.
American Idol, The Voice and The X Factor but we also love Mike & Molly and
Sleepy Hollow. Our kids love watching old
sitcoms with us like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Mr. Ed and Gilligan’s
Island. There’s something kind of
magical about those old shows.
4. What is your favorite vacation destination?
Craig and I try to sneak away for a few days to
Maroma Beach, Mexico for our anniversary every year. It’s on the Riviera Maya and is our favorite
place on earth.
Maroma Beach, Mexico for our anniversary every year. It’s on the Riviera Maya and is our favorite
place on earth.
5. What is your favorite pair of shoes?
It’s a tie between my leopard flats and my Frye Riding boots. Although I’m a huge fan of
flip flops too!
flip flops too!
6. What is your favorite nail polish?
In
the fall/winter it’s OPI “Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not”, for spring/summer I love
mint and coral shades. Wet n’ Wild’s “I
Need a Refresh-Mint” and Essie’s “Tart Deco” are two of my faves.
the fall/winter it’s OPI “Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not”, for spring/summer I love
mint and coral shades. Wet n’ Wild’s “I
Need a Refresh-Mint” and Essie’s “Tart Deco” are two of my faves.
7. What is your favorite chick-flick movie?
Oh
gosh, this is a hard one! I’m a fan of
old Hollywood films, so I’d have to say “Gone with the Wind”. Is that a chick flick? Probably, because Craig refuses to watch it
with me! I also cry at the end of The
Wedding Singer every single time, during that part where he’s singing to her on
the plane.
gosh, this is a hard one! I’m a fan of
old Hollywood films, so I’d have to say “Gone with the Wind”. Is that a chick flick? Probably, because Craig refuses to watch it
with me! I also cry at the end of The
Wedding Singer every single time, during that part where he’s singing to her on
the plane.
8. What is your favorite book?
Every day gets started with my devotions and
daily reading from Jesus Calling. The
Harry Potter series is probably my all-time favorite fiction.
daily reading from Jesus Calling. The
Harry Potter series is probably my all-time favorite fiction.
9. What is your favorite ice cream?
I don’t like ice cream. Yes, I’m totally weird for that! When I was pregnant, I craved ice cream all
the time though.
the time though.
10. Who would star in a movie about your life?
Tina Fey.
It would have to be somebody who likes to poke fun at herself. I love funny women who are flawed and not
afraid to admit to it.
It would have to be somebody who likes to poke fun at herself. I love funny women who are flawed and not
afraid to admit to it.
11. What is your least favorite household chore?
Two words – litter box.
12. What is one quirky fact that most people don’t know about you?
In
order to work my way through college, I had a lot of odd jobs. Well, I don’t know if I’ve ever admitted this
one but I used to dress up as a gopher mascot for a local vacation resort. I made appearances around the resort and
entertained kids at parties. It was
awful, mostly because the costume was stinky, I couldn’t see out of it and it
weighed 25 lbs.! But also because little
kids would randomly walk up and kick or punch it. One time, a kid kicked me between the legs
because he wanted to know if I was a “boy gopher or a girl gopher”. I think I quit shortly after that!
order to work my way through college, I had a lot of odd jobs. Well, I don’t know if I’ve ever admitted this
one but I used to dress up as a gopher mascot for a local vacation resort. I made appearances around the resort and
entertained kids at parties. It was
awful, mostly because the costume was stinky, I couldn’t see out of it and it
weighed 25 lbs.! But also because little
kids would randomly walk up and kick or punch it. One time, a kid kicked me between the legs
because he wanted to know if I was a “boy gopher or a girl gopher”. I think I quit shortly after that!
Thank you so much Alison for coming to my pajama party! I have loved getting to know you even more! To see more of Alison, you need to check out her blog Get Your Pretty On! You can also find her here too…
Instagram
And don’t forget, today is Meal Planning Monday over on my foodie blog!
Tomorrow, Sheaffer and I are giving away something pretty spectacular…you better come back!
Happy Monday!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
So sooooooooooooooooo fun! Loved seeing your pj party with Alison! All of her answers were great, and even though I read her blog every day, I feel like I got to know her even better!
Next time, invite me. I'll just sit quietly to the side and just observe.
🙂
Katie @ Team Skelley says
I am a big fan of Alison (and Smashbox primer) and have been reading her blog since the beginning! She is genuinely one of the nicest bloggers that I have ever known and is always quick with a kind word and encouragement. What a great feature today!
Anonymous says
This was so fun! And now I've found another blog to add to my reading. Thanks:)
stacy loggins says
I wanted you to know that I made your Butterfinger Blondies for our super bowl party last night and they were a hit!! And…I got my first pair of boyfriend jeans and I love them!! You and Sheaffer have really been an inspiration to me!!
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
Awww, thank you SO much for having me co-host this month!!! This was the most fun I've had in a very long time. And now I know that you and I will be drinking our coffee all day today and lighting a fire tonight! It was so fun reading all of your answers!
Caroline says
We never give gifts either. I'm a words of affirmation girl, so a card is more important to me 😉 So glad there are others who do the same!
http://www.in-due-time.com
MorganizewithMe says
I heart Alison! Such a fun recap! Her family does look like they stepped out of a JCrew catalog. Thanks for sharing so many more fun things about Alison. 🙂
Maureen W. (Maryland) says
Great post! Thanks for introducing me to another blog!
Since your love language is not "gifts", what is? 🙂
XOXO
PS – I'm not sure if it's funny or creepy to imagine Sheaffer sitting quietly on the side at your next "Pajama Party" 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
So excited to check out a new blog! It looks like one I'll love. Also, if you ever need a future PJ party co-host, I'm your girl! I blog at "My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries" where I talk about my adventures in food, fitness, mommyhood, and all sorts of other good stuff. Would love to have a PJ party with you and get to "know" you better! 😉
Slightly Askew Designs says
I am totally with you on the pasta. The more the merrier. 🙂
Ali G says
Loved this! My husband and I don't do gifts either we would rather spend time together or do something special. I don't think there is a point in buying something just to buy it! We get things if we are out & its something we really want/need!
Aubs says
The Gopher costume story is hilarious! Essie's tart deco is one of my fave colors too!! And I love your pajama party posts ~ SO fun!! Happy Monday! =)
livingnbliss says
So glad I read this- definitely found a new blog to follow. I love reading about others and getting a sneak peak into their lives!
Jaren says
Fun fun! I'll have to check out Allison's blog. Liked hearing of Valentine's traditions.
Kelli says
I've been wanting to try the Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer! Do you use that instead of a powder?
Loved the PJ party!
meggiehodges says
Love it! I eat vanilla froyo with almonds almost every day!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Such a fun series, and I loved all of both your answers! I can't wait to see who you're having next month! 😉
Andrea - Would Rather Be Shopping says
Your PJ parties are so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah C says
OMG SHAY , you are so classy! I love you! You have alot of great ideas!!! You need your name from mix and match mama to spicy and fun mama.
Rene's Ramblings says
I NEED these ASAP! Just told my son this past weekend how much I wanted some. Please and Thank You!!!
Michelle King says
Love the blog! Makes planning for 6 so easy! The giveaway is sooooo exciting! Make me fancy! Lol!!!
Lauren says
This was a fun post! All of her answers were fun! I'm really enjoying your blog! So much fun-ness! I'm def. putting some Wellies on my list to buy. 🙂
Karen says
Love your blog. Hoping to win some Welles!
Karen says
Love your blog. Hoping to win some Welles!
Nicole Olson says
I have been rocking my "Blardigan" .. so much in fact that is has become kind of a joke in our house. My girls and I looove it : "Mom, can I snuggle in your blanket shirt?" and my husband isn't quite sure about it yet.. however I have it in my closet, so I think I won 🙂
Lanie says
Thanks so much for such a great giveaway! I love reading your blog!!