Filed under: Celebrity Moms | Tags: eric johnson, fast engagements, jessica and vanessa engagement rings, jessica simpson, jessica simpson engaged, joe simpson, mommy blog, mommy blogger, mommy wears heels, nick lachey, vanessa minnillo
So, does anyone else find it a little too “coincidental” that Jessica Simpson got engaged just days after her ex, Nick Lachey proposed to Vanessa Minnillo? Jessica and new fiancé, Eric Johnson, have been together for 5 ½ months, while Nick and Vanessa have been together for 4 years.
Now, I of all people can’t judge an engagement after such a short period of time… I was engaged to my hubby after 3 ½ months. But, a few major differences stick out. One, neither of us had ever been married. Two, I was not jumping from relationship to relationship, proclaiming to everyone that this one was “the one”. Three, my significant other was not separated (hadn’t even filed for divorce) at the time we met.
According to US Weekly, a source close to Ms. Simpson says many of her friends don’t trust Johnson. He “was never that successful in the NFL, but he’s always wanted the celebrity-lifestyle,” they said. “I believe that Jessica is his way to get famous. He’s using her.” Adds a second insider, “Eric doesn’t have a job, he just follows her around. Her friends do not trust him.”
Jessica seems to be brushing off other people’s opinions of her new fiancé, gushing “He definitely makes me happy and makes me very comfortable being who I am,” she said. “It’s nice to be with somebody who praises you for all the right reasons.”
Her family has publically stated “how happy she is” and that “Eric is a great guy that makes her happy.” I’m pretty sure Papa Joe is just excited to see his girl getting a little more press as of late. Wonder how much he’ll try to sell the wedding pics for? One thing is for sure, I’m sure dear ol’ dad will make Eric sign a pre-nup!
As for the rings, let’s just say I’m digging Vanessa’s 4-carat asscher cut bauble quite a bit more than the ruby and diamond ring Jessica has been sporting. I’m quite surprised Jess’s isn’t a little larger… considering she probably had to buy it!
Wonder who the first one will be to hear the pitter-patter of little feet?
Filed under: Work/Life Balance | Tags: illegal interview questions, interviewing for a new job, interviewing for a new job and having a baby, interviewing for jobs, job loss and being a mom, mommy blog, mommy wears heels
As some of you know, I lost my job a few weeks ago. Since then, I have been networking like crazy, applying for positions and going through the interview process. I’m telling you, looking for a new job is a full-time job in itself! Now, I know I’m weird, but I actually don’t mind interviewing. It allows me to meet people, have an adult conversation and most importantly, gives me a reason to get out of my sweatpants for the day and put on a little make-up. Then last week I had an interview that took a bit of a wrong turn…
Everything was going well until (somehow) it was brought up that I have a nine month-old son. I know I am not in Human Resources, but I do know flat-out asking a question like that is illegal. I’m pretty sure the interviewer knew that as well, and that’s how he just gradually dropped it into the conversation. All of a sudden, our nice conversation about golfing with our significant others turned into “how was I supposed to travel for this position when I had a young child?” “Who was going to drop off and pick up my son from daycare?”
Needless to say, I was a little baffled. Last time I checked, it was 2010 and a man was allowed to do daycare duty and hold down the house for a few days if the woman of the house was out. In fact, it’s becoming the norm as more and more women are working outside the home and becoming the breadwinners of the family. This guy made it sound like I had to be home every night to cook dinner and change diapers.
In a matter of minutes, the job that I had such a good feeling about felt like it had been pulled away because this guy couldn’t fathom having a mom with a young child in the position. So, my question to all of you today is: Have any of you felt like you were passed up on a job or a promotion because you are a mom?
Filed under: Recipes | Tags: biggest loser dessert recipe, easy appetizer for party, easy dessert for party, fall dessert recipes, family recipes, healthy dessert recipes, mommy blog, mommy wears heels, pumpkin pie bites
Perfect for the wonderful weather we have. Will go great with apple cider for the kids and “spiked” apple cider for mom and dad! 
Note: When making the crust for this recipe, it might, at first, look like the crumbs won’t cover the bottom of the pan, but trust me, they will! The easiest way to distribute them evenly is to use a small piece of parchment paper or wax paper, and gently press the cereal mixture until you get a nice even layer.
Ingredients:
Butter-flavored cooking spray
3/4 cups all-natural, whole-grain, crunchy, high-fiber, low-sugar cereal
2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 large egg whites
15-ounce can (1-¾ cups) solid pumpkin puree
3/4 cup agave nectar
2 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
2-½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1-¼ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
32 teaspoons whipped topping, divided (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 11” x 7” glass or ceramic baking dish with spray.
Add the cereal to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a chopping blade. Process it for 15-20 seconds, or until the cereal is crushed. Transfer it to a small mixing bowl and add the maple syrup and cinnamon. Mix them until well combined (the mixture should be slightly sticky). Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using a small piece of parchment paper, gently press down on the cereal mixture, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Bake the crust for 7-9 minutes, or until it is slightly browned. Set aside.
Meanwhile, add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Using a sturdy whisk, lightly beat them until they bubble very slightly. Still using the whisk, stir in the pumpkin, agave, and flour until well combined. Stir in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt and continue mixing until well combined. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Using a rubber spatula, spread it into an even layer. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay). Transfer the dish to a wire cooking rack, allowing it to cool to room temperature. Carefully cut 32 pumpkin “bites” (3 cuts along the width of the pan, 7 cuts along the length, creating 4×8 bites). Just before serving, top each bite with 1 teaspoon whipped topping, if desired. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
From the cookbook: The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook
Filed under: Work/Life Balance | Tags: cluttered house with kids, finding time for family, finding time to clean with kids, mommy blogger, mommy wears heels, work life balance with a family
I remember when I was pregnant… I swore I would never have toys in my living room―because that would be “messy.” I swore I would not be the type of parent whose house was a cluttered disaster and people had to step over toys to find a walkway to the kitchen. The (finished) basement was where all toys, walkers, bouncers, etc. would be and everything would be nice and tidy. I had an idea of the kind of parent I wanted to be. I was disciplined and way too type A to fail.
Well, that rule I had for myself lasted approx. one day. I was too nervous to walk down the stairs with a newborn so I allowed the swing to stay in the living room―but I told myself it was only for a couple of weeks. I started to stack the magazines I didn’t have time to read and added a couple of days on to the dusting/vacuuming schedule. Now, 8 months later, as I sit typing this, I glance up and see a jumperoo, a play mat, 2 teethers and a book all within 8 feet of me and my rug hasn’t been vacuumed in 1 ½ weeks. So, needless to say, there were a few kinks in my plan.
There was always an excuse from me; the basement was too cold, I didn’t want to put something away when I was going to need it later, I wanted to go to the park as a family instead of dust, etc. At first, I felt like a failure. I wanted to be one of those mothers/wives I saw on TV. You know the one… always looked great, dinner was on the table every night at 6:30 and the house was immaculate. Unfortunately, that wasn’t me and it took me a few months to get “why” it wasn’t.
What I have learned is my “mess of a living room” doesn’t make me lazy or weak; it makes me like every other mother I know that isn’t a television character. I’d rather spend time with my child than throw him in his crib while I straighten the house. I doubt in 10 years you are going to remember one time you came to visit and my living room was cluttered. But I am going to remember the great day I spent at the park with my family instead of cleaning. I’m not perfect; there are toys in my living room, a few dust bunnies under the sofa and my house isn’t at all in order but I’m OK with it.
Moral of this post: We all could use a little lighter load and a little less stress about the small things in life. This is what I love about parenting – your kids can unintentionally make you total liars and eat your words!
Filed under: Recipes | Tags: easy family meals, easy recipes, halibut fish tacos, halibut fish tacos with guacamole, healthy family recipes, kid friendly recipes, mommy blogger, mommy wears heels, recipe for fish tacos
It’s recipe Friday on Mommy Wears Heels! Try one of our household faves Halibut Fish Tacos with Guacamole Sauce. Perfect for an easy meal when you get home from work. Sure to please the whole family… and healthy too!
Ingredients:
4 pieces fresh halibut, steak or filets, 6 to 8 ounces each
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and pepper
1 lime, juiced
3 small to medium ripe avocados, pitted and scooped
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1 heart Romaine lettuce
12 soft (6-inch) flour tortillas
Directions:
Preheat a grill pan or indoor grill to high heat or, prepare outdoor grill. Drizzle halibut with extra-virgin olive oil to keep fish from sticking to the grill pan or grill. Season fish with salt and pepper, to your taste. Roll lime on the counter top to get juices flowing. Also, any under ripe citrus may be placed in a microwave oven for 10 seconds at high setting to induce the juices to flow. Grill fish 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until opaque. Squeeze the juice of 1 lime down over the fish and remove from the grill pan or grill. Flake fish into large chunks with a fork.
While fish is cooking, in a blender or food processor, combine avocado flesh, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, yogurt and salt. Process guacamole sauce until smooth. Remove guacamole sauce to a bowl and stir in diced tomatoes and chopped scallions. Shred lettuce and reserve.
When fish comes off the grill pan or grill, blister and heat soft taco wraps. To assemble, break up fish and pile some of the meat into soft shells and slather with guacamole sauce. Top with shredded lettuce, fold tacos over and eat!
