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My Bad: The Luggage

3/30/2017

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​When Al and I first got married, we lived in a townhouse in Park Ridge, NJ. It was Valentina’s first home, and we lived there until she was a year and a half with Devin and Brynn. One of the “features” of the townhouse was a small, but functional elevator. We were healthy, able-bodied youngsters and we didn’t use it for much, except maybe to move things from the basement to the top floor, but that was rare. And, I’m sure  you can imagine when the kids had a play date it became like the Tower of Terror at Disneyworld, and that came to a screeching halt… another story.
 
Our first trip to Disney with Valentina was a bit more challenging for a third-time mom who now had to pack diapers and toddler things that I had not packed in over five years. Vale needed her own “supply” bag and clothes, and represented more luggage than I had been used to. (Today it’s like moving out someone’s apartment just for a trip to Florida). I packed Dev and Brynn in one suitcase, and on departure day, I put everything in the elevator to move to the ground floor.
 
We merrily went on our way, got to the airport, checked in, checked our luggage and boarded our plane to Orlando International Airport: the magical place where dreams start to come true as soon as the wheels are down on the tarmac.
 
We adore the Polynesian resort, and have been staying there with a few deviations to The Grand Floridian or the Contemporary but I love the carefree atmosphere and the Polynesian flare that really makes me feel like I should be in a Kaua'i rowing crew with some hot Polynesian guys in grass hula skirts. But then the hostess in her long mumu and plastic lei shows up with her Disney smile and hand gestures and it’s all over... LOL
 
We were waiting for our luggage and decided to go to the park.  I had extra clothes for the kids, so we ventured out and did our Disney thing for a few hours. We came back exhausted and ready for bed. I went to give Vale her bath and I asked Al, “Where is Vale’s suitcase?” He said, “What suitcase?”  I said, “Her suitcase with her clothes, and her other one with her diapers and bath stuff.”  We looked at the bags we had, and none of them housed anything that resembled Vale’s stuff. Devin and Brynn were accounted for and could care less… Vale had on a dirty t-shirt and some gross shorts from her day of feasting on the fat in the Magic Kingdom. The only diapers were in my travel bag, and nothing else. What an ass! Did we lose the luggage or leave it? Al checked the baggage tags… we never checked in her bags.
 
In a panic, I called my sister, who I have to say, in her calmness, can solve a lot of problems I can’t. She claims she was much more histrionic in her earlier years, but if you ever met my nature-loving, animal-kissing older sister Christine, you would never believe it.   She ventured over to my house, and found the bags… IN THE ELEVATOR. I pressed the button to send them down, and they never made it out. So, what now? Well, I will say this: there’s a reason we came home with gilded Mickey ears that read “Chris” in prolific embroidered script across the back. She took the bags to Fed Ex, paid the fee, and the next day, like everything in Disney, magically appeared.
 
The evening solution was Al’s pre-Uber trip to the Kissimmee Walmart with strict instructions to find the cutest pjs and short set that looked like I paid a lot of money for it.   And of course, more diapers.
 
Needless to say, to this day, I have never left luggage home again, and I have learned to take pictures of my bags before we wave bye-bye on the belt... disaster avoided… no sibling rivalry here!!

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Hot Chicken Salad

3/30/2017

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Since Paula Deen announced she had diabetes and decided to cut out the unnecessary fat and flavor of her creamy, artery hardening culinary delights, I have not been able to fall in love with one of her recipes. (I am still looking.) I am sure they are healthier, and I certainly cook with fresh ingredients and love making fresh meals, but there was something about butter mixed with sour cream and mayonnaise that really hit the spot.
 
One of the reasons I did turn to Paula for a top spot on my weekly kitchen prep roster is she could combine three forms of fat together with an old magazine, a dog bone, a hair tie and other stuff you find on your kitchen counter, and you would have a tasty, lick your chops entrée that made the whole family smile. It was like four or five ingredients, and hot damn, it was yummy!

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My favorite cookbook is only available now on Ebay (there is a double set available at Barnes and Noble) and it has gotten me through some busy weeks with limited time and fun, one dish masterpieces. One of my Paula Superstar dishes is her Hot Chicken Salad sprinkled with Lay’s Potato Chips (or any thin chip will do). It takes about ten minutes to prep, another 20 or so to heat through, and I serve it over rice. OMG…a total salt lick in your mouth, but a sure crowd pleaser. I throw the ingredients together in the morning while I’m having breakfast, then pop it in the oven right before dinner. Served over rice to add some bulk with a side salad, it’s an easy, easy, YUM-ified dish, and they eat it! Even my fussy, pain-in-the-butt loves it!

HIP MOM HINT:  I use already cooked Perdue Short Cuts for the chicken, and the next day you can either reheat or throw it on some bread for a very drooly, drippy mayo feast.   Do not count calories here, but if you watch portions like I do, ½ cup is great over left over rice or one slice of bread.  ​

View the Entire Recipe Here
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Gold Star: Liner Designer

3/29/2017

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​I recently beat up a product I thought was great for “cat eye” and eye design, so I set out to find one that worked.   The oasis appeared in Sephora about a year ago and I have been in love ever since.
 
Resembling a feminine guitar pick, housed in the same shape case just like a pretty tampon holder, is the Liner Designer from Beauty Blender. Make up gals are familiar with Beauty Blender’s manna from heaven, the ovum shaped Beauty Blenders (see right). Although the idea of blending one’s foundation with a sponge has been around since Cleopatra, Beauty Blender made it pretty, pink or nude, and durable and in a few sizes to reach all corners of your gorgeous face.   I couldn’t live without mine, but that’s a whole other blog..lol   Their contribution to the straight line eye world has been quite a blessing.
​ 
The Liner Designer lays flat against your eye, and allows you to get a nice, straight “corner” at the end of your lid with shadow, or a tilt allows flat access to draw a cat eye from upper to lower lid.   When using it with shadow, it also helps with “fall out” as it keeps the shadow in place so it doesn’t make it’s way down your face.
 
As you get older, like the rest of your body, things tend to shrivel.  I just did my #4 daughter, Eva’s eye make up for a recital and was drooling over her stay put lit.  Ahhhh…the elasticity of youth. My eyes, and I base this on being extremely expressive, because I’m not even 50 yet, lol, don’t bounce back like her Silly Putty eyes did.  But, the Liner Designer does help in keeping the line on track. I used to use scotch tape.   Ever morning my husband would say the same thing “ What are you doing with the tape?  Are your eyes broken?”  Then he would laugh at himself and walk away.   Today I can whisk the Eye Designer away, and only a nice corner is left...

Urban Decay has a few different versions of this magical potion but this is the original. These prevent fall out, creasing, and will keep your shadow looking fresh till bedtime
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Beauty Blender
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Liner Designer
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Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Sephora
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Lock It Color Correcting Eye Shadow Primer
HIP MOM HINT: 
​When applying eye shadow around the corner or  under your lid, and ALWAYS on  your lid before shadow, make sure you use a creaseless primer like Eye Shadow Primer Potion from Sephora.
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Pottie Award: Beth Bender Beauty

3/29/2017

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I think I have said it before…I am a sucker for anything I can buy that might be a quick fix, especially when it involves beauty products.   For a few years, now, I have been trying to master the stroke of the perfect “cat eye.”

It’s hard to admit one’s downfalls, but after many, many failed attempts, and several audience heckles from the other beauty queens who live in my home, I gave up.  Failed attempts looked like 1920’s extended eyeliner botches, or I would pull my eye, draw the line, and then, like a turtle in trouble on a major highway every time a car drives by,  the line would shrivel up and retreat back to my lid, morphing into this lump of liner.
 
Then, I thought one day I had found my salvation:  NOT! 
 
I guess a quick disclaimer is that I have deep-set eyes, which makes the cat eye a little more difficult.  My oldest daughter, Brynn, who does not have deep set eyes,  also failed to make the “mark.”   First of all, the stencil slides over your lid so it lies on your lid.  Not happening.  Where is the assistant that comes with the stencils to hold your contraption steady? You need two hands or a surgeon to pull this off.  Once it’s on, and you are ready to “draw” your cat eye, just grab your toddler and hand them a sharpie…same effect.  I tried one, two, six, nine times, and the same every time.
 
The same set comes with a Smoky Eye stencil, which for fear of looking like Rocky meets Apollo Creed, I did not attempt.  My middle daughter, Valentina, who feels she should be interviewed on the topic has chided me for attempting make up “coolness” when I am going out for the day. She advises to attempt new moves in the evening when you aren’t going anywhere so it doesn’t matter if you botch your artistic-ness.   From the mouth of beauty babes ...

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Outfit of the Week: Springtime is HERE!

3/23/2017

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“Spring has sprung….the grass is ris….I wonder where the bare shoulders is…”    Ahhhh…spring and summer.  My most fave time for fashion.  Good bye drab, Sicilian widow black, unflattering-unless-you-have-no-boobs chunky sweaters, clunky UGG boots (leave those to the kids) and trying to layer so you don’t have to wear a coat.   Let’s go bare, or barely bare, or at least somewhat bare with the shoulders, legs and colors of this gorgeous season.
 
This is one of my newest, and faves.   Yes, I have a soft spot for Free People.  They are flattering, feminine and flowing.  They make my heart skip a beat, and so did this top.   I love sleeves, and bell sleeves are one of my most adored.  I feel like Guinevere on a date with King Arthur when I wear them.   This We the Free top is available in some eye popping colors: Camel, Fiesta Orange, Purple Crystal, Black and Seafoam.   The Camel is darker than what appears on the website, and the Purple Crystal, which I have is gorgeous, but tends to be sheer. If you have any muffin top at all, I suggest something like a Spanx bodysuit. You can move the straps down on that or consider the "Boostie-Yay!" bodysuit. That's a bit more expensive, but you can use it over and over for other ensembles during the bare it all season.
 
Another hit with me, always, is BLANK NYC.  They will usually have an internet promo if you Google, which is why I tend to buy them online, unless I’m in a moment of total shopping lust, and I see them in a store which does happen, unfortunately.
 
They are on my list of best fitting jeans with a relatively normal price point.
I always buy jeans with stretch, because I am curvy, and I love the fit.  If you channel Kate Moss with no hips or butt, you are fortunate enough not to be forced into an arranged marriage with spandex.   I cannot say the same.  BLANK goes from lots of stretch to some, depending on the jean, so always look at the description and content of stretch material.  2% or more will usually give you a nice fit.
 
The “girlfriend” jean which is a “Hips Don’t Lie” version of the ever popular “boyfriend” jean but with a higher, more fitted hip and straighter leg was a winner.   I sprung for two pair..one just distressed, and the embroidered shown here.
 
On the website it's listed as a Crop Boyfriend, which is a misnomer, it’s called the Girlfriend Crop. The distressed pair is out of stock but the embroidered pairs are up for grabs! Get 'em while they're hot (and super chic)!
 
I paired them with a hip choker and open toe booties. (More to come on Accessories That Rock).

More to come, or less to come if you love this new season of feminine fashion ritual.  I can’t wait until it’s warm enough for my gladiators.
 
…..just for fun…every time I think of my gladiators…I think of this…
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Free People: We the Free top (Fiesta Orange)
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Spanx: Bodysuit
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Spanx: Boostie-Yay! Bodysuit
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BLANK NYC: Embroidered "Boyfriend" Jeans (Wild Child)
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The Outfit!
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Fashion: Airport Outfit

3/21/2017

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Since I just finished a jaunt to see my son, Devin, in Florence, I thought I would chat about something that weighs heavily on my mind every time I pack my suitcase..the airport outfit.
 
What I wear to my destination is now becoming as important as what I’m wearing at my destination.  And, deplaning, just like the perfect exit in a movie, is an extremely crucial point in your fashion life.
 
My daughter, Valentina and I had a recent teen-mom pow wow on this very heated topic, and she pointed me to Instagram, twitter, Pinterest and a few other crucial sites to explain how one should dress in case you are spotted by paparazzi exiting LAX, or arriving in Heathrow.  You need major, major shades and don the most proper items for the cover of People, in case you make it…that’s her dream. lol
 
Present society has turned into a very casual group.  What used to be considered trashy, rude and excessively casual attire to board a plane has now become the norm, with a modern twist.   I can remember traveling with my parents as a kid.  My dad would always sport a jacket and tie, and my mother in something flowing and comfortable, but elegant.   I always thought it important to be impeccable at the commencement  of one’s journey, even on a two hour trip to Florida, but today, pardon the pun, this has all been downgraded.
 
In keeping with the times, I no longer wear heels to the airport…that’s right, you heard me, heels.   Since sneakers and “sweats” have become casually cool and acceptable, I have succumbed to the pressure without retaliation, and given in to the concept that travelers should be smart, but comfortably chic.  I will admit, though it does break my heart, it works.
 
At present, I own two pairs of sneakers which I bought for Disney, both Steve Madden: the Emma (mine were silver..no longer available here...) and the  Bryanne, Anyone over the age of 12 who does not wear a pair of slip on sneakers or flats when traveling is, well, not aware of the famous TSA Tango,  airplane lavatories decorated in eau d’pee pee,  or Hulk feet syndrome during flight.   Maybe not for boobs, but here, flatter is better.   You can keep it funky if that’s your thing, by sporting a more hip sneaker like mine, but whatever it is, keep it simple to take on and off.   Keep in mind,too,  that when you are traveling with kids, pushing a stroller, and playing pied piper through the sea of airport gates,  you have to be on  your game.  Your honeymoon trip was a long time ago.
 
Sweats are so modern today and can be dressed to the nines with fun accessories.  On the outbound, I wore a grey flannel jogger from Free People,
coupled with a Free People Bright Lights choker top.
 
I wear a lot of fitted pants, leathers, jeans, especially during the winter, but flying in them would feel like a full body cast in traction,  making for a miserable flight, no matter how long. I topped it off with a BLANK NYC floral vegan leather jacket ... and voila’ comfort and cutie pie all at once. 
 
For me, the key to the airport outfit is chic comfort.   If you sport any accessories, you may want to stash them in your carry on until after security, as most will make the metal detector scream, and you will be the “bitch” the irritated travelers behind you “bitch” about for holding up the line.  Whatever you can wear to streamline the grueling process of going through security, do it.
 
On the return, I wore a cut out sleeve sweatshirt from Philanthropy (LINK) and same brand sweats, with a cami underneath.
 
It doesn’t matter what your fashion avatar is, keep it neat, simple and good to go…
 
HIP MOM HINT:  Always google coupon codes before you buy online.  Blank NYC usually has one if you surf around.
 


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Steve Madden: The EMMA
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Steve Madden: The BRYANNE
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Free People: Everyone Will Love This Jogger
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Free People: Bright Lights Choker Top
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BLANK NYC: Floral Vegan Leather Jacket
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The Outfit!
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My Bad: A Diaper Change ... NOT!

3/21/2017

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My little Camilla, who is a total snacker, junk food junkie and gummy worm addict, and not so little anymore, was a 4lb 4oz weakling.  When she was born, she looked like one of those skinny chickens you see in the poultry store window on Arthur Avenue.
 
I was always so worried about her weight, that it became all consuming.   Since she arrived home, three weeks early, every two hours were spent nursing and pumping and feeding and weighing.   That was MY life for the first three months of HER life, then around four months, she started a speedy gain when we introduced some solids.   I tried not to be, but I am sure I was a hot mess for most of it.I can’t even dig up a pic for you, because I just don’t want to.

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One evening, or maybe even early morning, as the routine was, I got up to nurse her and change her diaper.   I did.  You know what that’s like.  You turn the switch on, you make the movements like Rosie on the Jetsons, and proceed with your evening, or morning, or whatever it is at that moment, as if you even have a clue. I snapped up her little onesie pj, and brought her back to bed with me.
 
A few hours later, I picked her up to nurse and change again, and what the *(&^…my bed was soaking in newborn urine.  Well, you know, it was just a puddle under her, which leaked on to me ... you get the picture.  I thought I didn’t have her diaper on securely, or the sticky part didn’t stick…none of the above.  Guess what… NO DIAPER!!!!!!  I never put the diaper on her.  

​I put her down in a stupor on the changing table, took the old diaper off, robotically threw it in the Genie, and just snapped her up and went on my way … back to bed, never being the wiser, until we woke up in baby pee.

 
To this day, I have no idea, or maybe I do, how I just didn’t put a diaper on the kid … she was very cool with it, though.   She just peed as she was supposed to, diaper or sans.  ​

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Tortellini in Brodo

3/20/2017

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tortellini in brodo
I wait for the latest issue of Food Network magazine like I used to wait for the latest issue of Tiger Beat.  They have a section I love called “weeknight dinners,”  which are quick and simple little jaunts to the kitchen, and voila’ you have  a meal.
 
Obviously, there are so many other recipes to drool over, and I make some of those during the week too, but these are definitely time savers.   My nonna, who passed away at the age of 91, after cooking bacala, trippe, pasta e ceci, and a sundry of other authentically pleasing Italian delights her whole life, is probably clutching her rosary right now for my culinary salvation, since this recipe doesn’t cook for hours, and you can use pre-made chicken stock.
 
This soup was so delicious, and whips up quickly.  With a side of bread and a salad, it was a pretty filling meal.  Now, since I am homemade during the week, I like things that prep in the morning that either cook most of the day, or one dish wonders I can throw right in at dinner time.  This one, has a bit of both. If you have a half hour before dinner, everything can be done. If you don’t, I suggest getting your lemon zest ready, cutting your parmesan rind, and chopping the smoked pork. If that in total takes you more than 20 minutes, you need to go back to hot pockets, and we’ll get back to this at a later date.
 
Hip Mom Hint;  They do say to throw the tortellini in while the water is boiling.  I do not.   As the tortellini cook, they absorb the broth, leading to swollen tortellini, and lack of brodo.  Your recipe will be just…tortellini.  Flavorful, but just tortellini.   You might like that … mutual kitchen respect says “judge not lest you shall be judged.” Just my opinion.
 
So, “buon appetito…” let me know how you did.

View the Entire Recipe Here
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Ode to My 21-year-old son 

3/19/2017

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​When you were born, Dev, it seemed I would have you that way forever.  It was unfathomable that babies would turn into 21 year old juniors in college.  I used to hear mothers chatting about SATs, college acceptances and graduation, and I said to myself “I will be the mother whose child has Benjamin Button syndrome…my kid will stay five, and be five, even in twenty years.”  I didn’t imagine you would ever get big.  The reality of my denial would not set in for a long time.
 
As you grew, each year, although you grew with those years, did not seem a big deal.  You were still my little boy, and even in grammar school, with every passing lost tooth, hockey tragedy, family trip, bigger shoes, bigger pants, I still said to myself “He will never get older…just watch.  He will stay this age forever.”   It wasn’t until high school graduation I said, “Oh shit, this is really happening.”   And, I asked God,  where did he go?  We had a deal, remember?  I promised to have as many kids as you would send me, and they would stay little.  God, you reneged, and I’m pissed.
 
So now that you are 21 years old and four thousand miles away from me in Europe,  I had the rude awakening, that time really waits for no man.  That adage should be, “time waits for no mother, and spits on her while she is wailing on the ground holding on to a 21 year old baby blanket.”   You are an independent, free-thinking human being, who, although your Florentine  apartment on that adorable Italian cobbelestone laden street, with the tarantella like name, Via St. Antonino  is a complete contrast to your dwellings, veiled in filth and a foul odors which can only be attributed to six twenty something males co habitating, you are  doing it on your own, traveling the world on your free weekends, and well, living without your mama…in a land far, far away.
 
But, I realized something. Although our life has changed, nothing changed.  When I visited you with Brynnie, our threesome resurrected, with love, care, hugs, and inseperability.  My little boy was hugging me again, wrapping his big boy arms around his little mommy, and even though we conversed like adults,  shared adult thoughts, opinions and curses, I realized that little boy never left me.   You never thought twice about putting your arm around me when we walked, or hugging me tightly even when the guys were there.
 
I realized that although the kid who needed rides, help with homework, help lacing his skates,  a binky, an oversized Yankee jersey, and little feet was still alive…but only in my heart.  The man you became still needed hugs from his mom, advice, and love.   I realized a mother is a mother forever, and that little boy who morphed into a man, will always be my baby Devin, and that’s ok.
 
I got “unangy” at God, (but only for a moment), and said “thank you for the opportunity, although fleeting, to have that little boy in my life.  That was my gift for opening my door (and other things) to motherhood.  Thank you for letting him grow, allowing him to fly, and for being exactly where he is supposed to be.” 

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MUA of the Month: Gianna Fiorenze

3/8/2017

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I was addicted to Gianna Fiorenze’s Instagram when I first started on Insta. She inspired me to go bigger, bolder, and learn real technique.
 
This beauty from Long Island has been loving make up her whole life (which isn’t really that long, lol), and through social media, has become one of the hottest little make-up artists around.   One of the best days of my life was when Gianna came to my house and gave me a make-over. I usually HATE having someone else do my make up, but she made me feel like a VS Angel waiting for the runway, latte in hand, curlers in my hair.
 
She is a glam artist, and loves to play and sculpt with color, and dimension for a real “wow” factor. I learned my contour and “baking” technique from this glam queen, and thanks to a recent video, became more adept at sculpting my nose.  LOL
 
The Va-Va-voom look may not be yours, but because it’s mine, I wanted to kick off my site with one of my fave chicks …
 
Even if you are just a lipstick and mascara type of girlie girl, give Gianna a whirl ….
 
Twitter:  @giannafiorenze
Instagram: giannafiorenze

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