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What’s your best color? What makes look great, even when you’re feeling tired? What makes you look tired, even when you’re feeling great? What?!? You don’t know? Neither did I…

After gaining and losing a zillion pounds thanks to two pregnancies, my adventurous fashion sense checked out and I was left with a closet full of black clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing black and there’s nothing wrong with it. But I personally started to feel like I was intimidated by colors. It’s like my brain started to malfunction after I became a mom and determining what looked good on me was impossible. “Should I buy this blue shirt? Is it the right blue? Is it too blue? Oh, forget it. I’ll buy black instead.”

Thanks to my great friend, Lisa Kennedy of Kennedy Style, me and colors are friends again. Watch this video to see what I’m talking about:

I love the first few months of a new year, because it always kicks-off with fashion trends. Remember when legwarmers made a comeback in 2008?  Well, 2011 is full of fashion predictions as to what the coolest new trends will be. From threads to treads and heads – Justin Bieber and Jennifer Aniston are sporting shorter dues as of TODAY – let’s take a look at what you’ll be wearing. Or will you?

Fuzzy Shoes
Get a load of this furry footwear! I have no idea why any woman would buy these, because if you wear them once, they’re ruined. It’s like the stress of owning suede shoes multiplied by a zillion. One clumsy step in dirt, mud, rain, beer…these babies are toast. What do you think? Fabulous in fur or Zhu Zhu Pet clinging to your feet?

Geometric Shapes
It’s like disco meets hippie meets Bebe. It’s hard to wear bizarre prints, because they aren’t usually very flattering. I would be hard pressed to wear orange, yellow and teal for fear I may burn someone’s pupils. Then again, I really like the shape of the teal dress (right-hand side) and the blocks aren’t hideous. It takes me back to days of Swatch watches and wearing 3 pairs of socks at once. What do you think? Gaudy or great?

Statement Jewelry
MommyQ is all about statement jewelry. The bigger, the better! I will wear crazy cocktails rings that take up my entire finger with joy. I’ll wear a necklace you can see from miles away. I’ll wear earrings that touch my shoulders. BUT, what about a necklace that hangs down to your waist and stretches across your chest? It looks like a scorpion is crawling up her body. What’s your take on this necklace? Dynamite or dangerous?

Leather Socks
Wow. I’m slightly speechless about this completely odd fashion trend. It seems you can keep your ankles warm & toasty while looking hot in your stilettos. Okay, let’s dissect that line of thinking. First, why would you care about wearing socks with a dress? If you’re wearing a dress with heels, you don’t care about temperatures. If you wear the socks with pants, nobody will see. So why bother with leather socks? I’m thoroughly confused about this one. Care to enlighten me? Anyone? Anyone?

Images: Refinery29

Brace yourself for a flurry of decorating ideas! Why? Because Country Living is kicking off 2011 with a clean slate. February is the official WHITE issue, and when it comes to decorating, WHITE is in style all year-round. Country Living’s “Insider Guide to Decorating with White” features interior designers Rachel Ashwell, Darryl Carter, and Suzanne Kasler, revealing how to perfect decorating with one of the trickiest and underrated hues. Take a look!

Reconcile Beauty with Comfort (Rachel Ashwell)
- Choosing the right white matters: go for a crisp, clean white such as Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball, a warm white that never looks dull like White Room by Glidden, or a cool white with minty undertones like Strong White by Farrow & Ball
- Get over your fear of ‘breaking in’ an all-white room: embrace the crumpled, imperfect look and make sure white sofa slipcovers (such as Ashwell’s own Shabby Chic ones) are preshrunk and machine washable
- Soften up a rigidly blank room: avoid sharp modern pieces and opt instead for cushions and distressed surfaces to create a light yet warm space

Choose Your Details Carefully (Darryl Carter)
- Embrace white floors: by using white porch paint, white floors will endure and focus more attention on the objects furnishing the room
- Use white as a unifier: white can harmonize disjointed spaces, establish continuity from one room to another, and lets you move furniture to different parts of your home
- Pair white with textures: wood, woven fabrics, marble countertops, and antique rugs are all nice complements to sparse white spaces

Emphasize White’s Complementary Potential (Suzanne Kasler)
- Don’t treat all shades the same: not all shades of white go well together, so placing different ones next to each other to see if they blend is important
- Go for curtains, not couches: white-linen curtains are much less likely to get stained than a white-linen covered sofa, and a splash of color on the bottom part grazing the floor gives you an added bonus of both boldness and practicality
- Accessorize: varying textures and layers upon layers of objects bring together an all-white room

I wonder how old my kids have to be in order for me to have an all white color palette in my home? Does 50 sound right? Ha-ha! You can also follow Country Living on Twitter: @CountryLiving for instant decorating tidbits.

It’s one of my favorite times of year – AWARD SHOWS! Oddly enough I rarely watch the actual show, but I do love me some Red Carpet fashion. At the Golden Globes this year, what many consider the precursor to the Oscars, Hollywood’s most beautiful moms are shining brighter than ever. We’re seeing a bit more black than usual at this event, but you’ll see lots of pink. You know, one of the “in” colors for 2011. Let’s see which mommies are wearing it best and which ones are strutting their own unique style…

Pregnant mom-to-be Natalie Portman is glowing in this beautiful pink gown. I love seeing her look like the opposite of her psychotic Black Swan  persona. Yikes, that was unsettling. I’ll never look at a hangnail the same again.

Proud mama and timeless beauty Nicole Kidman looks stunning in this neutral dress. I wish she had a few more curves – like 20 pounds worth – but she still looks amazing. Her cutie hubby Keith Urban is probably wishing her heels were a bit lower though.

Boogie nights, one, Julianne. I love the fact that Julianne Moore went for hot pink. I love the contrast with her red hair and, of course, the nude shoes. I’m a sucker for nude shoes with bright colored dresses.I’m sure Joan Rivers will have something bad to say about it, but I give two thumbs up!

Jane Krakowski poses with her growing baby bump in a gorgeous light blue gown. I love how the style of the dress accentuates her curves and her wonderful statement earrings.  Pink is for suckers, perhaps? This mommy thinks so.

America’s favorite mommy, Sandra Bullock, is pulling a Khloe Kardashian by giving us a new hairdo for the Golden Globes. I’m guessing she didn’t actually cut bangs for real… I think those are fake. She looks beautiful in this nude-tone dress with delicate embellishment. Oddly enough, Ryan Reynold’s ex, Scarlett Johansson, showed up to the Globes in a lookalike gown. Ouch, that’s awkward.

You can catch all of the excitement as it happens HERE on the AP’s Livestream!

Images: WireImage

It’s crunch time and you probably haven’t done all of your holiday shopping yet. Well, here’s a list of 12 unique and functional gifts for all kinds of gals. From the funky fashionista to the fabulous foodie to the reality TV drama queen, these gifts are sure to please. Let’s take a look:

THE QUIRKY GIRL

Stuck Goldfish Bath Plug – It’s funny, it’s different and it actually works. Give the quirky gal on your gift list something that will make her laugh. (It’s pictured above & below.)

Pink Elephant Dish Scrubber - Nothing makes doing dishes fun, but this nifty elephant scrubber might make it a bit more enjoyable.  Honestly, you just can’t go wrong with a hot pink elephant. Period.

ON-THE-GO-GAL

Fishnet Wine Tote – She can drink on-the-go and be stylish. Perfection! Just one of the great gifts for her at Cambria Cover. Love that place!

Luxe Link Purse Holder – Help her keep that gorgeous Prada off the floor and germ-free with an adorable purse holder. These are the coolest gadgets ever and don’t let the petite size fool you, they can even hold heavy purses.

THE FASHIONISTA

Sephora Bling Compact - What’s great about A TRUE fashionista is she loves sneaking a peek at her fine self.  She’ll love you forever if you give her the gift that says, “I love you even though you’re totally vain.” Ha!

Heated Lash Curler - Another goodie from Sephora! The perfect gift for the gal who has everything. A heated lash curler actually works with the wax in mascara to give you perfectly curled lashes with zero fuss.

THE SENSIBLE STYLISTA

Leopard Manicure Set - Does she appreciate animal print and a polished manicure. Give her this portable manicure set with serious style. Talk about cute. You should see the little clippers in person. So sassy!

Laptop Skin - She’s stylish and loves her laptop? Well, give her a laptop skin with serious shoe appeal. Yes, floral heels make working on your laptop so much more tolerable.

SHE’S A ROMATIC

Kimmidoll Fabric Covered Notebook – This is a great fabric-covered notebook for the dreamer who likes to jot down her thoughts. Or maybe the planner who likes to make lots and lots of To-Do Lists. Either way, this is a super gift idea for the woman who always has a pen nearby.

Bessence Candles – I’ve mentioned Bessence Candles a bunch because they’re just perfect gifts. This line of eco-candles is the brainchild of Sandra Bullock. Each scent is made to enhance the dining experience. Black Cassis is my favorite!

THE DRAMA QUEEN

Real Housewives Get Personal – If she’s parked in front of Bravo 24/7 like me, give your dramatic book worm the gift of Real Housewives gossip. This book doesn’t cover all of the shows, but it certainly is a fun read and perfect for the reality TV fan.

Kardashian Konfidential - Oh, no she didn’t! Yes, she did. Maybe it’s a guilty pleasure, but if she watches Keeping up with the Kardashians, you must get her this new read. Get the latest trash talk from the three sisters who know how to bring on the drama and dish it out.

THE FAB FOODIE

Cupcake Wrappers - If one of her favorite words is ‘cupcake,’ you can make her smile with these cute Girl’s Night cupcake wrappers. They’re pink and they’re fabulous! Baking just got funner, right?

Etsy Apples ‘N Pears Half Apron – How much do you love Etsy? Get a load of this adorable handmade half apron that sells for $19.99. It even comes with a hand towel attached. Talk about perfect.

If you’re looking for a gift with heart this holiday season, look no further. How about a custom bracelet from designer Dorian Webb, featuring faceted blue quartz in various sizes and shapes? Did I mention the proceeds from this gorgeous piece of jewelry benefits the North Texas Chapter of Autism Speaks? It’s an amazing gift for any woman in your life and the best part about it is it gives back to a fantastic organization.

As you may know from reading MommyQ, I have an autistic son. That being said, I’m even more impressed with Dallas mom, Lara Travis, who is spearheading this fashionable vision. Like me, Lara found out her child was autistic when she was about 18 months old. After the shock and sadness from the diagnosis wears off, it’s time to take action and that means spending lots of money on speech therapy, occupational therapy and often, private schools. Lara turned to Autism Speaks for support and direction and as proof of how meaningful the organization is in her life, she decided to give back in a unique way.

Lara combined her love of fashion and love for her daughter, Grace, into a beautiful reality. She recently commissioned award-winning designer Dorian Webb to create The Grace Bracelet for Autism. Lara wanted the bracelet to be representative of autism, as you can see with the deep blue apatite and a single piece of opaque blue quartz, but also totally wearable. Webb’s vision is also apparent in her signature granulated “pyramid cluster” and smaller “caviar caps” that accent the sea of blues with the sparkle of sterling silver, and complement the handmade toggle clasp.

“It’s beautiful because it’s the way I see Grace,” says Lara of the bracelet. “It’s fun, whimsical has a lot of beauty. It makes me really proud of Grace. She’s come such a long way and it feels great to give back to an organization I love.”

I personally encourage everyone to share this story and purchase a bracelet for your friends and family members this holiday season. If you know someone affected by autism, please pass this story along. I think they will see the beauty of the bracelet, as well as the beauty of the cause.

Formaldehyde rumors won’t kill my hair buzz. Is the Brazilian Blowout my new BFF? Uhm, yes! My friend and wardrobe stylist, Lisa Kennedy of Kennedy Style, was extremely confident about the power of the Brazilian Blowout. Me being the frizzy-haired skeptic that I am, told her I would “believe it when I see it” as I sat in her salon chair. With flat iron in hand, she laughed and shook her head. And I must admit, she was RIGHT. These are pictures of me and notice the totally sleek, straight hair. Wow!

I’ve heard my friends refer to the Brazilian Blowout as a “life changing” event. Obviously, this is really only true for those us that have naturally curly hair. Mine? It looks like a sad 80s perm – kinky, frizzy, BAD. I’ve had some of the best hair stylists in town try to fix my hair using my natural curls and by the end of it, they all agree I should wear my hair straight.

Why all the fuzz about the Brazilian Blowout? This is how Lisa describes it:

As a professional hair stylist, I have not seen anything like it. I think its revolutionary for the hair industry and will be around for a long time. I used to use smelly relaxers for people with curly hair and their hair would be dead straight. As soon as their hair started to grow it was obvious they had curly roots and straight mid-lengths and ends. With the Brazilian Blowout, you do get the ultra-straight result, but with the natural ‘fading’ back to your wave and curl over the 12 weeks to match your roots when it grows out. Think of it as a semi-permanent color that gradually fades so you don’t get the harsh regrowth line.

The first time I washed and dried my hair at home, I instantly noticed the difference. My hair was slightly wavy while it was wet, but as soon as I started drying it, the waves were gone. For the first time in a gazillion years, I dried my hair with a small round brush and NOTHING else. NO FLAT IRON. Can you even imagine?!? I sure do love my Chi, but I love it even more when it’s not on! This hair treatment saves me so much time getting ready – I can’t even explain it. As a mom, that’s gold, Jerry. Gold!

Read more about the Brazilian Blowout on Lisa’s blog, including a post that addresses the new formaldehyde issue, which seems to be non-issue anyway. Duh! Ready to make an appointment? Give Lisa a call or email her. Tell her MommyQ sent you! She’ll think that’s funny.

Once in a while I wish I were a more adventurous dresser. You know, like a rock star. I look in the mirror and think, “Would Avril Lavigne or Pink or Courtney Love wear this?” The answer is always the same. Lots of laughter followed by, “Nope, not a gazillion years.” I don’t even have the guts to get a tattoo. I’m so tough. Ha!

Have you ever wondered if you can find shoes with lots of attitude, but they are actually functional? Well, there are quite a few brands that give you a rocker-esque look with crazy studs and chains, but the shoes actually look comfy. Weird? UES doesn’t think so.

Avril Lavigne was photographed wearing the UES Forsyth Wedge in Snakeskin ($335), while shopping at The Grove with her boyfriend Brody Jenner, on November 7th, 2010.The founder of UES, Seth Campbell, sought to bring a unique concept to the casual footwear market. With his introductory line of “shoewelry”, a collection that fused hardware jewelry embellishments with comfortable sneakers, this young designer proved himself as a pioneer in the industry.

Is that an “ah-ha” moment or what? So that’s how you strut around town if you have pink hair. Of course. Take a look at a few other wild options.

How about a studded clog/boot from Sam Edelman for $249 or, my favorite, the studded sensation in the boot world by Guiseppe Zanotti for a cool $1,580.