2011 In Rewind

Well 2011 turned out to be an amazing year! NYE last year I found out I was pregnant, which was a GREAT way to start off the year. It was pretty difficult to hide the "no drinking" thing on NYE but I think we managed :)

After a few LONG weeks in the beginning of January at work, I was happy to be heading to Key West for my best friends bachelorette party! Thank god my friend Kristy was there, who was also pregnant. We had an amazing time!!!!!!

Oh and after much studying, hardwork & dedication, my husband passed his last CPA test. I was sooooo proud of him!!!

In March, we heading to Clearwater, FL to see a Phillies spring training came and to hang out with our friend who just moved there. And yet again I am lucky that my friend Katie was pregnant, so I had a non-drinking buddy on this trip as well (yes I had a lot of friends have babies this year).

Then there was my BFF Amy's wedding...I was so happy for her! It was tough fitting into that bridesmaids dress 5 months pregnant :(

My husband turned 30...old man!!! Just kidding...I turned 30 in November.

My baby shower was amazing and I could not have asked for better family and friends!!

The best was yet to come...Emily Grace was born August 20th! The BEST thing that has ever happened to my husband and I :)

Emily's Christening was amazing!

I just had to make Emily a Halloween Tutu!!

Thanksgiving at my in-laws at the beach was such a nice relaxing time. It was a little hectic packing up the baby and dog for the hike down there but it was worth it.

I turned 30 :( We went to this awesome restuarant in Philly called POD.

Emily's first Christmas was better than I could have imagined!!!

I lost a very important person this year and I truly believe he is an angel in heaven now watching over us now. I will never forget you CTF!!!

Life is so precious that it is important to live each day to its fullest! I am so lucky to have such amazing family and friends and I could not ask for a better life.

HERE IS TO AN EVEN BETTER 2012!!!

Adrienne xoxo

Featured Vendor - Hot Mama Gowns

Today's featured vendor is very near and dear to my heart since I truly believe her maternity gowns are amazing!! When I had Emily in August, I had a rough labor and she was in the NICU. Every time I wanted to see her, I would have to have someone wheel me down from the 4th floor to the 2nd floor, so this gown was great! The day after I had Emily, I showered and put my Hot Mama Gown on that my mother-in-law bought for me and I felt like a new woman!

*not the best pic of me :)

The gown was so comfortable, stylish and fully closed. One of my good friends had a baby a month after me and she borrowed mine and also told me how amazing it was! I highly recommend everyone to check out her website. These gowns make a great shower gift as well!

The gowns come in multiple colors and sizes!

Why did you decide to start your own business? I started Hot Mama Gowns out of necessity and to fill a void that I discovered while delivering my first child in 2006. Women deserve to feel beautiful, be comfortable and stylish on the 2nd most photographed day of her life aside from her wedding! We are not ill hospital patients; we are beautiful women bringing a new life into the world and what we are wearing should reflect that joy!

What exactly does Hot Mama Gowns entail? Hot Mama Gowns are 100% Organic Cotton Hospital Maternity Gowns which are DESIGNED for breastfeeding. Our gowns are sized to fit Mom before, during, AND after birth so Mom can wear her gown as cute nursing pajamas for months to come! We have 6 available sizes so just about EVERY Mama can be a Hot Mama; sizes XS(2-4) to XXL(22-24). Our gowns are much more than hospital garments; they are thoughtfully designed so Mom can wear them during labor, delivery, and then have that important skin-to-skin contact as soon as the baby is born. She can also begin the nursing relationship immediately; all while Mom is covered and confident.

What advice to you give other denial entrepreneurs? Remain true to yourself and your values. When you own a company, that company is an extension of you and your identity, so if you try to be or do something you're not, your customers will know and you'll come across as inauthentic. Do you!

What are three things people don't know about you? I don't wear shorts; ever. I'm a horrible singer *really horrible*. I don't drink coffee.

Here are all my social media items in case you wanted/needed them:

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/HotMamaGowns

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/HotMamaGowns

The Hot List (our newsletter): https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1406674/acctId:1403182

Website: http://www.HotMamaGowns.com

Thanks Diedrea!

Christmas Shopping Update

I have managed to do almost all my shopping online this year! It has been great, especially with a new baby at home and no time to spend browsing and waiting in long lines. I was happy to find just as much if not more online coupons as well.

Here are some of my favorite online stores so far:

Happy shopping!!

~Adrienne xoxo