recently, elle magazine had an article on 10 things that should be found in every woman’s closet. i would share the list with you, only due to my lack of organizational skills – i can’t find it, since i am sure by now one of my boys turned it into a paper airplane and soared it into the neighbors yard – again, or perhaps my husband confiscated it since he thought it was yet another shopping list of mine as i do my part to stimulate the economy. anyways, the list contained items such as a good pair of black pumps, the lbd, a crisp white shirt, a nice pair of denims, diamond earrings…etc. in fact, i did have all the items on the list, minus the crisp white shirt – mine is dingy gray with clorox bleached tiny spaghetti handprints on it (c’mon, i’ve got boys remember?!) – but then i realized, women, especially modern mamas - have WAY more than 10 items in their closets! so, with this in mind, i thought it is much BETTER to have a list of 10 items that should NOT be found in any woman’s closet, so here goes:

10 things that should NOT be found in your closet (from the modern mama’s perspective, of course):

1. mom jeans (need i say more?)
2. white pumps.  white, strappy sandals are fine, metallics are even a better alternative.
3. nude nylons. …especially in ’suntan’.
4. anything with shoulder pads (make friends with a good tailor, if the blazer/coat is salvageable)
5. neon. citrus colors are good (think turquoise, citron, and coral) – neon is bad.
6. colored slouchy socks. your’e not in jr. high anymore, your socks shouldn’t be coordinated to match your outfit.
7. hair scrunchies.
8. pants with pleats. they were cool in the early 90’s when you wore them to the mc hammer concert (i know I did…twice! – lol), but now, even mc hammer ‘can’t touch this’ fashion foul.
9. mock turtlenecks. anyone seen in public with someone wearing one of these should assume the ’scared/embarrassed turtle position’ and tuck their head in and hide.
10. gauchos.  unless you are a native cowboy of south america (where the name is derived from), these fashion fouls need to ride off into the sunset never to be found again.  they made a brief blip on the ‘c-list fashion scene’ in the summer of 2006, but now they need to find a permanent home at a goodwill near you.

*originally posted on poshmama.com by the modern mama, feature contributor for poshmama.com, the hip hangout for haute mamas!

as i mentioned in an earlier post about ‘normal’ weekends…three-day weekends are a double edge sword.  love them. hate them.

on one hand, it is great that you get an extra day off from ‘work’, but with most of us working for global corporations, do you really get ‘three days OFF from work’?  you may not have to drive in to the office, but chances are, you are still working.  …but this time, the kids are home – for all three days.  and most likely, there is some crucial 3-hour sporting event on at least one of those days that your husband/sig other will glue himself to the TV for and render himself completely useless to you and the kids during the entire time. even during commercials thanks to direct tv.  for those newlyweds reading this – this is called a ‘blackout’, as in ‘honey, the game is on – i can’t go to billy’s birthday party or put the dishes away, i’m on a blackout.” 

now, i have heard it is a lot different with a house full of boys vs. a house full of girls, and who knows if that is true – all i know is that come sunday night, my slogan is ‘TGIM’, because i can’t wait to get the kids back in daycare, the house back in order, and some or at least part of my sanity back into place.

so now here we are again, at that ever crucial paragraph and you are wondering – so what’s your point?! and my point is this:  the only way to make three-day weekends a win-win situation for everyone in your household, including you – is by using advanced planning and negotiation.  plan get-togethers with friends or family who have kids similar in age.  this way, your kids can blow off a lot of steam and have fun, while you can engage in some adult conversation and have fun yourself.  in addition, plan a family event that your kids WANT to do – and leave the blackberry at home for those 3-4 hours or so.  YOU’RE not that important, but your kids ARE  – so get over it.  finally, negotiate with your husband so each of you have a little alone time.  most likely, he won’t want to waste his 3-hour hall pass watching the game, and you can actually get some time to regroup and re-energize to get you through the long weekend.  now that’s a win-win situation for any modern mama!

ps. happy turkey day - let me know how your upcoming FOUR DAY weekend goes (thanksgiving + 3)!

as promised, and just in time for black friday and holiday shopping - here is the ultimate christmas wishlist for any modern mama - from practical to fabulous, this list has it all! …and to fit any budget (or behavior!) - whether you have been naughty or nice!

just leave this little list in plain sight for your hubby, significant other, or family to see and you are good to go! …and, just like the modern mama’s brain, it is in no particular order or sequence!  enjoy!

white house/black market cocktail dress - $178 - a perfect lbd for the holiday and can be also worn throughout the year - and this one is a bit more ‘forgiving’ with its flattering cut and swing to it - now you can enjoy the eggnog AND look fabulous doing it!

roxy light as a feather scarf - $22 - this scarf is as fun as it is functional - not to mention, love the bright bold color in the dead of winter!

wall candy arts – rococo chalkboard - $36 - i featured this treasure in a previous post…need i say more - this is a must have for any busy, modern mama!

harajuku lovers perfume - $45 - how cute are these?!  how cute are you with them?!  i say VERY! …and they are by the uber modern mama herself, gwen stefani!

dirt devil kurv handheld vacuum - $50 - i know the last thing you want under the tree is a hint that your housecleaning skills are not up to par, but this cute little gadget caught my eye due to it’s functionality and form! …bonus points if the gift-giver charges it beforehand, so you can quickly spring into action and vacuum up all the ripped paper and bows from the gift-opening frenzy.

dvf ‘catwalk’ luggage collection – prices vary - for any mama on the go, these ruffled numbers won’t ruffle your feathers or your wallet when you travel for business or pleasure.  …and what an easy way to spot your luggage since who else but the uber modern mama would have luggage so unique?!

prada crispy tote - $715 - it’s black. it’s waterproof. it’s handsfree. and, it’s PRADA…need i say more?!

nadri pave crystal bangle - $158 - every haute mama needs a little bling-bling in their lives, don’t you agree?!

juicy couture ‘angel’ logo boots - $198 - of course, no list would be complete without something from juicy couture.  these boots were made for walking…and shopping!

blackberry bold (prices vary) - your brain in a box.  a cool, electric box…it’s kind of like having your own personal assistant tucked in your handbag and with you 24/7 - and who couldn’t use that?!  (note: men would much rather shop for gadgets/electronics for women than shoes, purses, and handbags!)

sex and the city ‘the movie’ dvd - $17 - for those of us who grew up and had babies watching sex and the city (thus having less sex and venturing less into the city) - this finale movie is a keeper.  love the story. love the clothes. love the ending.

maybelline 50 second nail polish - $4 (in pink shock, berry boucle, plum intense, and mocha blast) - because what modern mama has more that a minute to do their toe nails?!

ipod shuffle - $49 - size doesn’t matter…at least with your ipod! this cute little number carries your favorite tunes on the go - you can even engrave it!  the only drawback is it is so small, it may be hard to find amongst all the crap in your gi-normous handbag!  (see note on blackberry bold!)

talking pedometer - $22 - we may all need this after having ‘too much christmas spirit’ this year!

kensie matte silver cropped jacket - $26.40 - no, i didn’t omit a ‘0′ - look like a million bucks with this adorable jacket that costs under $30!

hello kitty toaster - $25 - if you don’t cook, and even burn toast (like me!), why not have your toast be as cute as possible with the help of hello kitty?!

juicy couture ‘iconic’ pop top mittens - $55 - yup, another juicy item made the list.  i like how these convert from fingerless gloves to mittens…how else would you be able to dial your blackberry bold with mittens on?!

suddenly slimmer body wrap – prices/packages vary - i was a bit skeptical about this, but it really does work!  don’t get me wrong - it is no miracle pill (or wrap), but it does work. …not to mention, your skin feels silky smooth for days!

tiffany&co starfish pendant necklace - $265 - it’s always nice to get something in the little blue box - and this elsa peretti classic is one of their more iconic pieces that doesn’t break the bank.

dooney & bourke ‘giraffe’ wristlet - $75 - love the giraffe print and again, size doesn’t matter - this baby is big enough to just hold your phone, credit cards, $20 cash, and your car keys…priceless!

since october is breast cancer awareness month, I wanted to mention this cool website - if you haven’t been to www.designhergals.com then immediately STOP reading this post and go go go!

…now that you’re back some two hours later - it really is THAT addicting, then read on… a fellow modern mama of mine called this site ‘paper dolls for adults’ and it truly is. not to mention, you have an unlimited outfits and shoe combinations to choose from. in fact, the image on my ‘about’ section was designed by the wonderful and creative women who founded designhergals.com, and i don’t think i’ve ever looked more fabulous! anyways, besides being given the keys to carrie bradshaw’s closet (aka SJP), the main goal of this site, through their Gal to Gal Foundation, is to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and ultimately a cure for this tragic disease that affects millions of women each year.

almost everyone has been somehow affected by breast cancer. my mom and my aunt both were diagnosed with breast cancer, and thankfully, due to funding, research, modern day medicine (and the man upstairs) - i am happy to say that after early detection and treatment, they are both living happily and haphazardly as fabulous and fun grandmas to a bunch of loving grandkids!

finally, visit often and spend often - purchase gifts for showers, birthdays, or just because…and if you don’t leave each time feeling like you were the full-time employee who works INSIDE kimora lee simmon’s clothing closet (yes, it’s true, he caterogorizes her purses, denims, shoes…you get the over the top picture!), then you need to go back for more! now, if i can only look as fabulous and my design-her gal everyday…but then again, bags under the eyes wasn’t one of their options for accessories!

be sure to sign up for their second annual virtual walk to raise money for stage iv breast cancer patients and walk with team: ‘modern mama‘!