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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Dallas’ Best Dressed Secret: Upscale Resale at Clothes Circuit

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Disclaimer: I was invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary at Clothes Circuit and received a gift card. However, I have already spent way more money than my gift card balance and plan to go back multiple times. 
As I approach the holidays, my buying habits change to only giving and no more getting for me.  Unfortunately, it’s also the same time of the year that your social calendar requires you to look your festive best. 


Ain’t it ironic that Timing and Budget do not place nicely with each other? 



However, I did find out they can compromise.

Let me introduce you to my new guiltless pleasure, Clothes Circuit. 


A 30-year-old tradition in the Park Cities, Clothes Circuit offers women one-of-kind upscale consignment fashion with clothing essentials, shoes, accessories, coats, bags, handbags and jewelry.  Owned by Irene Mylan, the Clothes Circuit gives you the labels you want to buy at prices you can actually afford (and still buy Christmas.) 


With more than 500 items are introduced to the floor daily bearing labels from the world’s top designers and upscale retailers such as Trina Turk, St. John, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Marni, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Burberry and more.  Clothes Circuit also carries everyday office-appropriate options from Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s, The Gap, and Cole Haan.

A woman with little time to spend on shopping for herself, I immediately spotted a huge number of Louis Vuitton handbags and suitcases. Followed by several pairs of Jimmy Choos I couldn’t wait to put on my feet. I was already reeled in now, so off to the racks to see if there was anything that I had to have. 

Of course, I found some. A lot of some. Somewhere between the devoted Tory Burch rack, a Michael Kors Black trench and lovely gold frock (holiday attire is only available from now until the end of the year), I couldn’t help from seeing all the fantastic labels that I just couldn’t believe was available AND I could consider buying it. 


While I’ve enjoyed my time there, I have to admit, I hope this new-found-fun doesn’t turn like my Starbucks. From just special occasions to now multiple times a day, I’m now a gold card carrier of the coffee giant. Thankfully, Clothes Circuit doesn’t have a frequent shopper card or the Christmas tree at my house might look bare. 

At least I’ll look good. 
Clothes Circuit
6105 Sherry Lane
Dallas, TX 75225
Get your inside look on inventory at Clothes Circuit on Instagram!




Take a Break from Parenthood with the Cadillac CTS

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Disclaimer: I was provided the use of a Cadillac CTS to experience luxury driving in beautiful car. You should too and here’s why. 

The day I had to trade in my BMW coupe to get a more mom-appropriate car, I cried like a little baby who had lost their blankie. I loved that car and enjoyed the feeling I had every moment I was behind the wheel. Giving up that car was a milestone moment for my life; leaving behind my childhood as I prepared to be the mother of my own child.


Since then I’ve driven a mom car; actually a SUV with room for car seats, diaper bags and pack n plays. I’ve definitely adjusted to the change of a little car to a big mom-mobile and for the most part, I don’t mind it (except for the Goldfish crumbs.) However, when I slid behind the wheel of a Cadillac CTS, that moment of freedom, class and “I have arrived,” took me by suprise. I instantly wanted to drive all kinds of places to show off the beautiful charcoal-colored coupe and how beautiful I felt now that I was in a caddy. 

I mean it IS a Cadillac.


Unfortunately, it was time to pick up the kids from school and since car seats don’t belong (or fit) in this car, I climbed back into reality and rushed off to my unexciting mom life. But deep down I really wanted to continue driving and to check out all its smooth features like hidden handles, keyless entry and the push button to open the doors.

Cadillac CTS Highlights: 
Touchpad door openings
Hard-drive radio system with USB port
Six air bags
Rearview camera within your rearview mirror
Parking assist, side blind zone alert

So I decided to make time for the car and made it a reason for a dinner out…besides, I guess being without kids and with my husband might be good for us. And there was also the car to drive. Being in the Cadillac did make the date seem a little more exciting and formal. We were able to test out the air-conditioned seats and just drive. Instead of messing with all kinds of buttons, we spent time together just cruising and enjoying the feeling. The drive was incredibly smooth, especially with its ultracomfortable leather seats. 




After a night of pretending of how my life was without kids, without pressures and baby sitters, it was time to go home and get back to my life. Once we hit the garage, our little people came out and reminded us why we had given up the fun and eye-catching car for my mom-mobile.  

However, my baby girl definitely took up on the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac. Uh-oh, I think she might already have a crush on the Cadillac, too. 


Mother-Daughter Day at Daired’s Spa & Salon

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Disclaimer

This week’s Try-it Tuesday isn’t anything fitness this time, but I can promise the stylist that the fingers that had to do my hair got a real workout.


When you Google “Texas Big Hair,” it’s my headshot that comes up…we’ll maybe not on the front page, but believe me I have a big ole head of crazy hair. It’s coarse, curly and long – and when I blowdry it, I resemble something off a Tina Turner video. Needless to say, after 30 something years, finding someone to cut my hair isn’t always easy. 

Then I had my beautiful baby girl. While she looks a lot like her mama (God, bless her), she has her own big crazy hair to handle, although it’s actually very little like mine. She has the brown curls, but the similarities stop there. She has soft, fine hair with a daddy-gave-me-this hairline I have yet to figure out how to style. So most the time her hair is a little bit of a crazy mess and it’s definitely needed some trimming or something or someone to give me a little guidance on what to do with it. 

So with an upcoming appearance on TV and limited time to fit just one more thing in, I called Daireds Salon and Spa Pangea in Arlington. I was actually very surprised they actually accepted kids into a salon like Daireds…especially when you look at their services lists for salon, spa, cafe and boutique. But they gladly scheduled us both.

Sweet goodness, we’ll see how it goes. 

In my past life, I was privy to get the opportunity to enjoy some of the best spas in Vegas. And while Dallas is full of day spas, very few of them even begin to equal up the experience you get in LV. However, entering Daireds you definitely get a “posh spa” feeling – without the snob appeal. It’s interiors are beautiful, colorful and keep your eye wondering while you wait for your turn to hit the chair. I love the fountains both indoors and out. 

I had been prepared to have Taylor’s cut and then mine so I could assist with a two-year’s hair cut. Much to my surprise we had separate stylists and my little girl immediately aged 10 years as she was brought to the chair, put on a smock and began her first big-girl hair cut. Her stylist was awesome and dealt with all the stress from both mom and baby girl perfectly. Taylor actually wanted to go with her instead of mam. Unfortunately, I was getting my hair done, so the pictures aren’t so great, but you can see her sitting just like a little princess. I could already tell this would be the first of many experiences with us two gals. 

My stylist, George, had asked what I wanted to do with my hair, so of course, I responded with what any normal girl would say, “Make me look like Eva Mendes so Ryan Gosling will fall in love with me.” While he couldn’t take off the weight around my mid-section, he did take off the weight on my hair and gave it some life. I had bounce and style. And while I don’t look like Eva Mendes, I do resemble one of her commercials with all the hair-flipping I’ve been doing lately. So I guess that counts.
While I wouldn’t never want to call Daired’s a family salon and spa, there are definitely opportunities when you can bring in your kiddo for a hair cut or a special day and expect both of you to enjoy it. I had planned to keep her under control so I had reinforcements like goldfish crackers, juice and toys to keep her happy – at least until I snagged her a fresh chocolate chip cookie from the in-house cafe!

Now don’t think I’m about to start having baby girl for massages or facials any time soon, but it was nice to think that if the occasion presented itself, I have a place to bring her. Until then, mama will continue to check out the services like massages, nails or facials, until its her time to drive herself on over and make her own appointments (which could be anytime with this girl.)

Daired’s Salon & Spa Pangea
2400 West Interstate 20
Arlington, Texas 76017
(817) 465-9797 or metro (817) 467-9991
Website

It’s TIme for a Little Potty Talk: Let’s Talk Bums

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Mama Mondays: 

We’re starting off the week with a little “potty talk.”

Brittany from Brittany Estes, Becky from The Java Mama, ME – Autumn from Mama Challenge, Jamie from Roubinek Reality and Esther from Laugh With Us Blog.


I mean we’re getting to the real core of the matter – we’re going to talk about bums. And this ain’t about your kids, either. 

Join me today for some fun talk about your Clean Care Routine over on Mom2MomDFW.com.


Does Camp Gladiator Really Make You a Gladiator?

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I received one complimentary one-month Camp Gladiator for the purposes of this review. However, all the views and comments expressed are my own.  About a month ago I accepted the mama challenge to participate in one month of Camp Gladiator. I didn’t know what to expect and to tell you the truth I was scared I couldn’t hang with the group – especially since I’m not the most coordinated individual to begin with plus my “extra luggage” probably didn’t help the cause either. However, my true desire to be a healthier person for me and a healthier example for my kids was enough reason three days a week to set my alarm clock for 4:40 am and make it to the 5:15 class. 

And boys and girls, I’m not a morning person. But thankfully from good music (a fundamental must for me), interesting routines, and a great attitude from my trainer, it gave me the incentive to see it through. I was pretty skeptic that much could happen in the 12 camp sessions I attended during the 30 days, but at least it could get me into a very much needed routine of getting up early and working out (which is the only time I have available to exercise even though there are CG times available all day and all over DFW.) So every day I got up, sweat my ass off and got stronger.  The recommended CG plan includes meal recommendations as well as additional cardio days for campers to complete on their own time for achieveing maximum results. While I tried to maintain a moderately healthy diet plan, it wasn’t as stringent as it could be. Additionally, my only additional cardio was my awesome Friday Spin Cycle class at my local YMCA.  Needless, to say, I wasn’t doing myself any favors. But at least I was getting up and going.  So after one month it was time to compare my first day’s measurements with my Day 30 measurements. I’ll admit, I was nervous, but there was nothing I could change at this point except to continue to do what I was doing or do even more. No matter what. So the big reveal begins: 

Arms:        Lost .5 inch
Chest:       Lost 2 inches
Waist:       Lost 1 inch
Hips:         Lost .25 inches
Thighs:      Lost 1 inch

I was pretty excited, but can you imagine what could happen if I stepped it up a little for another month?  Luckily for you this month Camp Gladiator is celebrating its 5th year of changing lives and 500 camp. So to share in the fun, they are offering MAMA CHALLENGE READERS their normal $95 camp for only $50. That’s a pretty good deal when you compare it to any other fitness plan you can sign up for (believe me, I know because I have done many of them.) Just make sure you write down: Autumn Reo in your referral! 


I’m signed up for my second camp and I’d love for you to join me. Especially since I just decided to add another two extra days onto my schedule for five full days of Camp Gladiator. And I can’t wait to share those results with you then too! If it is your first camp, make sure you read up on 10 great tips for making the most of your first Camp Gladiator! 

Shoe Shopping for Back-to-School at Famous Footwear

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Mama Mondays: 
Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card from Famous Footwear as well as the opportunity to shop for as many shoes as possible as part of a local Famous Footwear event hosted by Dallas Moms Blog. All the comments here are my own. 

It’s no secret that I have issues with shoes. Really. 

While I enjoy looking at them, I don’t like to wear them. When you have a wide foot it makes it hard to put on cute shoes and be comfortable. That’s why I’m the queen of sandals and always in need of a new pair of shoes – at least ones that aren’t summer specific. And since it was also right before back-to-school, I wasn’t the only Reos could use another pair of kicks. 

That meant shopping. And shoe shopping is the worst… 

However, just in time, I was invited to a little special “mama time” with some friends to do a little private shoe shopping at Famous Footwear. Thank goodness. I needed some female opinions so I could make some purchases in a reasonable amount of time that weren’t just comfortable, but functional and hopefully, cute too!

Oh, how I found all kinds of choices – just which ones should I buy? 

Considering my current athletic shoes were about two years old (and just a little note, that’s way too long to not replace your running shoes), I really could use a pair, especially since the ones this season are fun, bright and very colorful. There were also some adorable Sperry boat-style shoes that were SO cute. I’ve always liked Sperry’s for the whole family, especially since they give moms like me an alternative to flip flops – ideal during the winter time! Black and white damask with red laces, sequins and even leopard print, I eyed several pairs I would want to add to my wardrobe. And of course, I would have to peak at some gladiator sandals, my always go-to. The ones I found were so hot and had a little Bohemian vibe. Adorable. 

What to buy. What to buy? What to buy! 

Thankfully, for a limited time, I didn’t have to purchase just one pair, but could get a second pair half off! (Gotta love some BOGO 1/2 off!) Then add my special discount for being a Famous Footwear Rewards member, I had discounts coming out my ears! Now that +  shoe shopping was something to be excited about. 
It was time I leaped over to the kids’ aisle. While my little girl is a little young for these Converse, I couldn’t help but stop to take a look at them. With all kinds of colors and fun tongues that even included emoticons on the reverse side, these shoes screamed “I would have to have you IF I had a teen!” 

Finally reaching the little girls’ shoes, I set eyes on a pair of tennis shoes that Miss T. had to have. They were pink, glittery, blingy, and had studs all over them! And they lit up too! And considering little girl had a birthday the next day, I just had to snatch these up and surprise her for her big day! Aren’t these Skechers CUTE!?!


Starting to really find my stride after my first must-have, I spotted this sign:
Discovering this great little kernel of knowledge was perfectly timed since I had eyed me a pair of these Naturalizer Peep Toes (both stylish and comfortable!) Unfortunately, my size was missing! What to do, what to do? I just brought the shoes to the register and they took my address. For $0, they would send these gotta-have heels to my doorstep. (Now that’s service!)
And that wasn’t all either! A little love from Lady Luck made me a winner of an opportunity to get as many pairs of shoes as I wanted in :30 seconds with a little shop-to-you-drop. That meant I was able to pull a pair of Sperry’s for both me and my hubs, plus, of course, those cute shoes for my two-year-old! (And I may have also found a pair of sandals that would get a little play for the remaining weeks of the summer!)

So perhaps, maybe, I don’t mind shoe shopping. Especially if I can get it all in one place and at a price I can afford. Thanks to Famous Footwear, I was able to find that and more. 

Now I understand why their tagline is “Victory is Yours.” 

There’s a mama challenge I was excited to win. 


When That Twilight Star Ate My Margarita Soup Pie on TV {Recipe}

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Me Mondays:

Today’s been a big day for the fam. Baby girl turned two, little boy had his first day of kindergarden, daddy enters his last day of law school and oh, yeah, mama was on TV. 



If you missed my segment on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas where I have been lucky to be on a few times, here you go. However I do have to preface a few things for you first. 



  1. The margarita pie is made mostly out of sherbet, frozen yogurt and margarita mix. 
  2. TV studios are hot. Very hot. Especially in August. In Texas. 
  3. Ice cream melts.
And if they fun in watching my pie turn into soup isn’t enough to make you watch it, check out the cutie from Twilight, Vampire Diaries and Nashville (love that show), that makes a sneak appearance at the end to taste the soup…I mean pie. Thankfully, once we were off air, I was able to redeem myself with the apple enchiladas which he at least made me think were tasty (and he swallowed them with a smile.) So I’m good with it. What do you think? 

Make sure you stay close to your TV this week! I’ve some great news for you! 


A Real Mama Challenge: My Baby Girl Turns 2 and Mama Won’t Be There

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Mama Mondays:

Today’s my little girl’s 2nd birthday…unfortunately, I won’t be there to wake her up in the morning since mama will be off early to WFAA Victory Park Studios to share a real “mama challenge” from Good Morning Texas. I actually have spent the weekend trying out the three Pinterest desserts that seem “too good to be true” are really good or really not true. 

And while the moment is bittersweet since I won’t get to see her beautiful eyes open on her special day or take her to her first day of school, at least I know that I’m doing my best to set an example that when life gives you an opportunity, you take it and are thankful for it. 

…And then as long as one of these desserts actually work out, we’ll share a slice together in honor of her special day when I pick her up from school. 


To make it worth it for both of us, if you are in front of a TV at 9 AM on ABC WFAA 8, I’d love for you to tune in to see how these three Texas-themed Pinterest recipes work! 

  • Margarita Pie
  • Pink Lemonade Pie
  • Apple Enchiladas

And of course, I’ll be these babies on Pinterest later, too (if they are good!) 


Yabba – Dabba – Doo! Bedrock Brownies {Recipe}

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Disclaimer: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Post Pebbles but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PebblesBTS http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. 

Sharing bits and pieces (and in this case Pebbles) with your children is part of the fun of being a parent. However, during a trip to Walgreens I picked up a box of Post Cocoa Pebbles and my son pointed to Fred and Barney on the front of the box and asked, “Who’s that?” 

Oh, Hanna Barbara. We had work to do. 

 Kinda a fail on my part I felt for never airing an episode of “The Flinstones,” until I was able to find only  few clips of the classic cartoon online. Thankfully, iTunes gave us some options to make a real formal introduction, but it seemed like unlike the recent surge in my favorite childhood boy bands reclaiming the limelight, the Bedrock buddies I watched as a kid, had slipped into an oblivion. 


After my enjoying my own moment of nostalgia, I decided to use the opportunity to talk about the Flinstones’ prehistoric period (how people did it then) with a little Cooking 101 using our box of Post Cocoa Pebbles  – with both the almost-two-year old and five-year old. (I’m pretty sure my head was full of rocks.) 

After a huge fight about who got to stand next to mama in the chair, who got to crack the egg and who got which apron (they are exactly the same color), we began putting together a dessert that we later would call “Bedrock Brownies,” a layered “rocky-road type” desert using brownie mix, cheesecake filling, crushed Cocoa Pebbles, marshmallows, chocolate chips, nuts and icing. And you’re right, it ain’t fat-free. 


We talked about measurements, learning patience (all of us during the process), taking turns putting in the ingredients and of course, stiring the mix. Things were going pretty well at this point until my oldest asked if we created another episode of “his cooking show.” Always happy to share my blogging adventures with my kids, I was elated to go behind the camera to direct while he set up for his intro…

 Unfortunately after about the 20th take, I gave up on this time creating the next Bobby Deen. He was tired, I was tired and by this time the toddler had escaped with a couple of tastes of the mix and fled to the living room to play with her dolls. We just needed these sweeties to get done, so we could break “brownies” together. 

 You too can create this Yabba-Dabba delicious dessert that is creamy, chocolately and crunchy. It’s so good you might consider running your car around the block with your bare feet in order to burn off the calories just so you can have another one. 

 It’s a whole new way to eat your milk and cereal!

Bedrock Cheesecake Brownies
Ingre­di­ents
  • First layer:
  • 1 pkg favorite Brownie Mix

  • Second layer:
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup gran­u­lated sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter–softened
  • 2 table­spoons flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup semi-sweet choc chips
  • Third Layer:
  • 2 crushed Cocoa Pebbles
  • Fourth Layer:
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • Fifth Layer (Frost­ing):
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup milik
  • 3 cups pow­dered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup Cocoa Pebbles
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instruc­tions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. But­ter the bot­tom and sides of a 9×13 pan.
  2. In mix­ing bowl, com­bine the ingre­di­ents for the bot­tom layer until mixed well. Press/spread bat­ter into the bot­tom of the pre­pared 9×13 pan. Set aside.
  3. For the second level, in mix­ing bowl, beat the soft­ened cream cheese, gran­u­lated sugar, 1/4 cup soft­ened but­ter, 2 table­spoons, 1 tea­spoon vanilla and 1 egg at medium speed until smooth. Stir in the 1/4 cup pecans and pour over choco­late layer in bot­tom of pan. Sprin­kle the choco­late chips over the cream cheese layer. 
  4. Now layer the crush Cocoa Pebbles over the cream cheese covering the last layer. 
  5. Bake 26–28 min­utes, until fill­ing is start­ing to lightly brown on top. Take out of the oven and sprin­kle the mini marsh­mal­lows evenly over the top. Bake an addi­tional 2 minutes.
  6. Mean­while, in a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup but­ter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa and milk. Heat to boil­ing while stir­ring con­stantly. Remove pan from heat, and whisk in the pow­dered sugar. Stir until well blended. Add the vanilla, 1 cup Cocoa Pebbles (and 1 cup chopped pecans.) 
  7. When the two min­utes of roast­ing the marsh­mal­lows is fin­ished, remove the pan of rocky road bars from the oven and imme­di­ately pour the frost­ing mix­ture over the marsh­mal­lows. Spread evenly to cover and let cool 30 minutes.
  8. Refrig­er­ate about 2 hours to set. Cut into small squares. Store in the refrigerator.

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