I had an assignment for the photo a day challenge I'm working on called "Your Shoes." So I chose to take a picture of my bright raspberry colored comfy shoes. I like them so much because they add a pop of color to my usual neutral outfits. I posted the picture to Facebook and got some positive comments. They're really not the prettiest or most stylish of shoes, but they're so comfortable. It hit me in an a-ha moment that ALL of my shoes are comfortable. When did I stop wearing shoes exclusively for the cute factor?

That's not to say that all my shoes are ugly old lady shoes. I have some cute shoes. I particularly like to shop for comfortable and sporty women's sneakers. A cute pair of sneakers works well for running errands with the kids, especially in this snowy, slushy weather we've had. But, seriously, what happened to my love of fun, funky shoes? Shoes with chunky heels or pointy toes? I can't even imagine wearing a pointy toed heel today! I'm not sure when it happened. I remember, vaguely, the days of walking in heels for eight or ten hours. Those were the days of working in an office or retail environment.

I guess there's not much call for wearing heels or fancy shoes for picking up the kids from pre-school, gymnastics or Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, it's been quite some time since Bill and I went out on a date. I'm thinking I need to come up with a sexy shoe occasion. What do you think? And do you base your shoe selection on comfort or are you still choosing shoes primarily for appearance? Try searching online for some cute shoes with these exclusive Macys coupons if you're on a budget!

My God, am I cranky! For the last several days, I have been so on edge. I know what it is. My husband knows what it is. He may not like it, but he sort of understands it. Of course, it's PMS. But how the hell do you explain pre-menstrual syndrome to your kids? Poor things. They just think their mama's a nut job who snaps out at the littlest thing or bursts into tears over nothing. Damn.

My older kids are 9 and 11 now. So I've actually broached the subject somewhat with them. I think they're old enough to grasp the concept of something happening in a grown-up woman's body (raging hormones) that makes her crankier and moodier than usual. I've also told them that I try not to let PMS cause me to yell at them or to be angry over little things. They say they understand (kind of). But can they, really? And my little guy is only two - he couldn't possibly understand.

It's so frustrating. I know we all deal with it, but I feel so bad that the kids don't get why mom's being such a bitch. Especially when we go somewhere. Trips or outings are supposed to be fun, but I just get so on-edge when I'm out of my element during PMS. Poor kids. Damn mommy guilt.

At least I've taken proactive steps to talk to the kids about it. I hate feeling like there's NOTHING I can do about a situation or about my actions. I refuse to take that stance. So I've explained it to them the best I can. I'm also trying to use self-calming techniques like deep breathing and counting to ten. And, yes, I do take something. I totally believe in using prescriptions to help you be your best person.

What do you do when you're PMS'ing? Have you talked to your kids about it? Come on, help a mama out.

Photo by Katie Tegtmeyer

I don't need to state that I'm a makeup junkie. Anyone who reads my blog or knows me in real life knows that. Because of my addiction to love of cosmetics, I'm finding myself with a bit of a dilemma - an overflowing makeup drawer in which I can never find what I'm looking for. This is very counterproductive. We have busy lives. If we need to get ready for work in the morning or to get ourselves and the kids out the door for the day, we really can't afford to spend time searching through the messy makeup drawer to find that one pearly taupe eye shadow. That's why I've found myself reaching for my multipurpose makeup kits that have everything I need all in one place.

I love these kinds of kits or compacts because they eliminate the fuss of trying to find all the shades and individual products needed for creating a great look. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun to hand-pick my palette when I have the time, but kits are so fantastic for everyday. Here are some of my favorites:

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips 3-in-1 Custom Eye Liner, Eye Shadow & Highlighter*

Using eye shadow as a liner is a time saver in itself, but this product from Physicians Formula gives you so many options all in one place. I love it. It's available for blue, hazel, green, and brown eyes. I've actually got the one pictured. It's for brown eyes, and mine are blue/green, but the colors look really good on me, as they're pretty neutral. I also like that although the colors are pre-selected, you've still got a few choices, depending on your mood. You can choose the lightest shades for daily wear or go dramatic with the darker shades.The compact also comes with a unique, angled applicator that's just perfect. The really good news is that it's only $8.95, and you can find it at most drug stores.

Makeup By Lauren Luke

I've talked about this fabulous woman and her makeup line in a past post, so I won't go into tons of detail here. I couldn't write about multitasking makeup without including this brand because I love it so much and use it quite often. You get everything you need all in one compact, and for one compact price of $32.50, plus free shipping if you buy two. Can't beat it. I like this compact, called My Vintage Glams. It contains purpley/rosy colors that are both on-trend and can be worn for everyday.

Just For Redheads Redheads Rule Compact Book

I LOVE Just For Redheads makeup. I can't believe I've never shared my obsession for it here before. They have shades that look fantastic on redheads of various hues. It can be really hard for us to find shades that look good with our complexion and hair. Just For Redheads eliminates the guesswork by tailoring colors for each shade of redhead. The Redheads Rule Compact Book contains four beautiful eye shadow colors with one lovely blusher. It's small and fits in any purse pocket. I use this kit ALOT in the fall and winter, as the colors are warm and gorgeous. The compact also contains a mirror and applicator. I'm planning an upcoming post devoted to Just For Redhead's mascaras, which I cannot live without.

philosophy the supernatural coloring book*

I have deep and abiding love for philosophy. Their shower gels smell divine, and their facial washes are just wonderful. So I was thrilled to be able to try the super cute, supernatural coloring book. It contains two shadows, three blushes, and two lip glosses, all in colors to give you a natural glow. This kit is small and allows you to have fun mixing and matching at home and on the go. It's one of my faves. You can buy this compact and other products from the supernatural collection at philosophy's website.

These are just a few of my favorite multipurpose makeup kits. Do you have a favorite kit that you depend on? Tell me all about it. I could use a few more addictions!

* Indicates product provided

I've been devouring the fashion magazines lately! It's been easy to do with all the free magazines I've gotten recently. (Take a look at how I've done this in a post I wrote over at my freelancing blog, Adventures In Freelancing.) I am just loving Harper's Bazaar and Lucky magazines. And all the magazines have great layouts and features on fall fashion. Here are some trends I think we moms can incorporate into our lifestyles.

Plaid

More Victoria's Secret...

Plaid is everywhere this fall. It reminds me a bit of the 80's. Remember when large buffalo plaid was the in thing? Well, its actually back, too. I also like plaid because it's comfortable and reminds me of a man's fashion item. I love wearing big, comfy men's clothes. But this fall's trends are tailored, so they don't look frumpy. And plaid comes in pants, hats, and scarves too. I've always loved plaid; hence my obsession to someday own a genuine Burberry bag!

More Charlotte Russe...

Ankle Boots

Another trend that's come back is ankle boots. I always liked them. I remember those suede, slouchy boots. They're back, along with a slew of other styles. Boots are so versatile. You can wear them with jeans, dress them up with trousers or leggings, wear them for running around town or to a professional event. Such fun. I asked around on Twitter for stores I could find ankle boots at reasonable prices, and I received all kinds of suggestions. People said to check out Burlington Coat Factory, Target, TJ Maxx, and Ross. Well, I headed to Ross, where I had my eye on a beautiful pair of black leather ankle boots with a decent sized heel. They were so nice, and they were only $18! But I resisted, as I'm trying to save money for the upcoming Type-A Mom Conference in Asheville, NC next week. Here are some ankle boots I like.

More UGG...

More American Retro...

More Sofft...

Brights and Neons

More Free People...

If done tastefully and in moderation, I think neons and bright colors can really work for moms. My eight-year old daughter has a really bright pink tunic with black and silver skulls on it. It's comfy and fun; she loves it. Do I think most moms would choose to add it to their wardrobes? No way! But one bright piece like the tank top above added to our wardrobes could really help to make us feel more energized, which is something any mom would love. Consider adding a bright bangle or two. Maybe a neon scarf paired with your black barn jacket would be a nice touch.

More Elizabeth and James...

Of course, I'll be looking to add some of these pieces to my wardrobe at extreme budget prices. We could all add one or two to our closet. Remember to treat yourself once in a while. I had to write this post now because New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is going on. Check out my pal Audrey's blog for her fashion week video coverage. You'll feel like you were there!

What do you think? Do you like these fall trends or do you hate them? Are there any I didn't mention that you're dying to add to your fall wardrobe? I'll be doing an upcoming post on fall fashion trends I hate. I'm sure you'll want to weigh in on that one.

Where do you buy your makeup? I must confess I'm a catalog or beauty counter girl, but I think I'm missing out on a prime shopping experience. I've heard of Sephora for years but just recently began shopping the site. Sephora has the best of the best brands, and I do a lot of shopping online anyway. What a convenient way to feed my addiction get my makeup and beauty supplies. What I also like about Sephora is that they have a rating system and reviews you can read before deciding to make a purchase, which is fabulous for moms on a budget.

What really got me to snooping around Sephora was an article I read on TotalBeauty.com listing the 22 Best Sephora Beauty Buys. (Don't even get me started on how much I love TotalBeauty - I'll save that for another post!) The list includes so many amazing products, each with a rating and review from a TotalBeauty.com reader. I'd like to try all 22 of them (Wouldn't we all?), but here's a list of the five I think would be most essential for busy moms.

NARS Blush

I chose NARS Blush because blush is such a key item in a makeup regimen. A good blush adds glow and color to a woman's face and can make a dramatic difference in the skin's overall appearance. I was also influenced by the written review which said that a little goes a long way. I always want to get a good value for my money. I think I'll try the reader's shade choice of "Orgasm". I've read that it's absolutely amazing, and, really, I kinda just like the name!

Sephora Kohl Pencil

I'd recommend buying this eye pencil because it's economical, and eyeliner is definitely a must-have makeup item. Remember that Bobbi Brown says pencil liners are fastest as well, perfect for moms on the go. The reader review says this eyeliner is easy to apply and goes on smooth. Sounds like a winner to me.

Demeter Fragrance Library Hawaiin Surf Cologne

Summer's coming, and it's definitely time for a new, lighter fragrance. I think every woman should treat herself to a signature scent all her own. It really makes a difference to my mood to be able to treat myself like this, and a great smell really does wonders to lift my mood, my energy, and my spirts on frazzled days with the kids. The reviewer says this cologne smells like you're at the beach, but it's not heavy. I certainly can't afford a trip to the beach this year, but I think even I can afford the $20 for this little luxury!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple

A good cleanser is essential. Skin that's healthy sets the stage for your makeup. If your skin doesn't look good, it doesn't matter what brand of cosmetics you use - you simply won't look your best. I've used Philosophy products in the past and have just loved them. I wouldn't hesitate to try anything from the Philosophy line, and this cleanser looks just right for my combination skin.

Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick

I so want to try this color stick! Yes, I know I already listed a blush, but stick blushes are actually my very favorite for their ease and precision of application. And this product can also be used on eyes and lips. You all know how I feel about multitasking products! This one seems a bit pricey for my budget, but I'd be willing to pay the price for something that does it all. I've learned that a multipurpose product can really save you on busy mornings.

There you have it, my picks for the must-have products for moms. This is in no way an advertorial for Sephora or for any of the products mentioned. I really enjoyed my time browsing the Sephora site and wanted to show you which kinds of cosmetic products, based on my experience, are worth spending the money on. Have you tried any of these brands? What do you recommend? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Photos courtesy of Sephora

I wanted to take some time to let you know that I'll be taking Everyday Baby Steps in a new direction, because I'm taking my life in a new direction. Brady will be a year old in less than two weeks (Gasp! Can you believe it?). For nearly a year, I've been stuck in a rut that I've tried hard to pull myself out of, and I'm finally getting there.

My Journey

As you know, I've been working very hard to eat healthier, and I've made some progress. I don't know if this has fueled my desire to focus more on my personal appearance. I really don't know what the motivator is, but I know that I'm feeling tremendously better about myself and I want that feeling to continue. I've been having fun with makeup again and taking time to pick out cute outfits each day. I'm fitting into more of my clothing lately; I've still got a way to go, but it's fun coordinating outfits again instead of wearing the same pair of elastic waist jeans or black knit pants every day! Hell, I even get dressed (nearly) every day now.

So I want to take these feelings I'm having from spending time on my personal appearance and encourage other women who may be in the same seemingly never-ending slump I was to do things for themselves as well. It can make such a difference in your life and in your overall outlook just to do a little something for yourself, and it doesn't have to break the bank.

Plans For the Blog

I'll be focusing a lot of posts on beauty and fashion. As you may remember, I've been a beauty consultant for two cosmetics companies in the past, and I love makeup. I'll continue posting how-to videos, and I've got a guest post lined up already to give you some insight from a professional makeup artist's point of view. I also want to devote time to fashion and ways that women can treat themselves to key pieces and feel fabulous. I gotta confess, my online buddy, Audrey, has been a tremendous motivator in my desire to look good. I only hope I can pass some of that same kind of motivation she's given me onto others!

Look for product reviews and giveaways. I've already started things with the great Nimli giveaway listed below; you've still got a couple days to get in on that one if you haven't already. I want to show women they can "splurge" on themselves once in a while because they deserve it. Most of the products and tips I feature will be within an affordable price range or even things you can do for free.

Let me know your thoughts! What do you do to make yourself feel great? Any suggestions for amazing products to try or fashion finds that cater to a mom's budget and lifestyle? I'd love to hear your input. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy the changes I'm making here at Everyday Baby Steps.