Whether our husband’s like to admit it or not, when it comes to buying for the family, us women hold a lot of power. It only makes sense…we typically have better taste, more time patience (and a greater desire) to shop, and apart from those impulsive purchases, we have the inherent need to know everything about a product before we purchase it–especially when it comes to our kids. For example, we wouldn’t go out and buy a car seat without asking a few questions or doing a couple Google searches to make sure we are getting a harness with high safety ratings and positive customer feedback. After all, the safety of our baby is at stake. Sometimes us moms don’t even realize it, but we pick up on certain buzzwords that influence our buying habits. You know the words…green, BPA-free, organic, natural, etc. Why do we do this? Because we want to give our kids the best, and these words remind us of the “best.” They tell us that a conscious effort was made to make a product better. Well, I have a new buzzword for you…”Free.” As in, Nike Free technology.

During my recent trip to the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, I saw firsthand just how much care and research goes into every Nike product. During our time in the Nike Sports Research Lab with Jeff Pisciotta, and our Q & A with Tobie Hatfield, I realized that shoes are much more than a cute accessory. In fact, I realized that buying a pair of shoes for my children is no different than buying a car seat. They deserve nothing but the best!

I have been wearing my NIKE FREE RUN+ 3, Women’s Running Shoe over the past couple weeks, and there are a few things I have noticed:

1) I receive a compliment EVERY time I wear them. Neon colors are totally in this season, and I love that I can see meet feet nearly glowing out of the corner of my eye when I walk

2) The reflective swoosh is totally awesome, and totally…reflective. They are so bright, I have been asked twice if they have batteries!

3) Comfort – Pure. Comfort. I feel like they were absolutely made for my feet.

4) Flexibility – I can wiggle my toes and move my foot around with ease.

My daughter has a pair as well, and she LOVES them! Her friends all want a pair, and she thinks the bright colors look really cool when she runs–she’s convinced they make it look like she’s running faster. They look amazing, they feel great, and they are actually great for your feet. I seriously have never worn such a light-weight shoe, nor have I seen a shoe that you can bend in half and it is actually supposed to be that way! Nike hit the mark on this one….

Here are some of the fabulous pictures, taken throughout the day…Enjoy!

Take a peek at the video below to see all of us blogging ladies sporting our newest Nike shoes and gear, and look at what a blast our kiddos are having!

Kids Nike FREE Run: If your feet flex, shouldn’t your shoes flex too? Must-have flexibility for young feet.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nike via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nike

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

we are a nike free family! #nikekids is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

As a mom of two young children, my shopping trips often consist of loud kiddos, staring shoppers, the occasional laugh, the frequent cry, the children’s clothing department, and a giant headache. So, as I ventured into our local Kohl’s department store with my best girlfriend, I felt like a kid heading into Disneyland–no children, girl time, and the intention of heading directly to the Misses department and shopping for yours truly.

Having spent the past 6 months in Japan, this was the first time I had ventured into Kohl’s since August of 2011, and I was pleasantly surprised. For starters, I was incredibly impressed with the selection of designers and their collections. Some of my favorites included the Jennifer Lopez Collection, LC Lauren Conrad, Rock & Republic, ELLE and Apt. 9.The collections were fresh, and full of color and unique fabric/texture combinations that really caught my attention.The Jennifer Lopez Collection is complete with flowy summer tops, brights and whites, a little bit of shimmer, and a whole lot of fun–I especially loved the white peasant top and paired scalloped shorts. I often steer clear of white tops, but the Jennifer Lopez top (seen below) fits in tall the right places and I love the embroidered detail.

The LC Lauren Conrad Collection is a perfect option for updating your Summer wardrobe, with fun colors (pastels and brights), flirty layered tanks, and gorgeous sun dresses. Rock & Republic is awesome with edgy tanks, the most amazing bottoms (jean pants, skirts and shorts) with fits designed for all sizes, and the true rocker edge with controlled fringe and cut-out styles. I purchased the dark jean skinny pant because they are unbelievably comfortable and they look amazing with just about everything–perfect for a busy mom chasing her kiddos around, or dressed up for date night with the hubby.

ELLE is classic with the perfect combination of class, a variety of color, and great cardigan selections. Apt. 9 featured a variety of key looks for the Summer trends, with incredible prices that blew me away. Each and every collection offered something unique, but they all shared a high quality appeal and fantastic deals.

I came home with the Rock & Republic dark skinny jean, a flirty flower-print Rock & Republic tank, and a versatile short-sleeve Apt. 9 cardigan. I couldn’t help but add the white Jennifer Lopez Collection embroidered top to my checkout pile, and I love that it looks great with my new jeans. My final selection was based on comfort and style. I love that the skinny jeans are stretchy for added comfort, the top is flowy, yet sexy and flattering, and the gray Apt. 9 cardi can go with just about everything, adding the perfect touch for those breezy summer evenings. The best part is that the register showed almost $100 in savings, without coupons! All in all, I had an amazing day shopping with my besty, and can’t await to spend my next “happy hour” shopping at Kohl’s!

Disclosure: Bloggers received a gift card on behalf of Kohl’s via Glam Media to complete the trend look. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kohl’s. All trademarks and service marks are owned or licensed by Kohl’s Illinois, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

kohl’s summer shopping: sunglasses, hats, bright colors…oh my! is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

As a first-timer to Mercedes-Benz Fashion week here in New York, I came in with an open mind and few expectations. Toni & I entered Lincoln Center, anxious to take in the exciting looks and daring trends of our fellow show-goers. We met with our team at the Diet Pepsi Refresh Lounge, enjoyed an ice-cold Diet Pepsi, and I made my way into the first show as Toni made her way back stage with the IMG Production team that will be working with us for all of our on-air events as Diet Pepsi Correspondents. Wendy (the fashion goddess known for her local NY fashion blog, Nitrolicious.com) and I made our way in to view Richard Chai’s collection. I loved watching as people filed in and took their seats, and enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week experience.

The collection was full of flowy, shear pants for women, and the most incredible coats and jackets for both women and men. One of my favorite aspects of the collection, was Richard Chai’s interpretation of puffy coats, with incredible over-sized pockets, uniquely placed around the waste line. Here is a great look at Chai’s collection:

This post is sponsored by Diet Pepsi. Shannon Hughes and Toni Danielson of HappyHourMom.com were selected to act as Diet Pepsi Correspondents for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and will be blogging about their experiences on HappyHourMom.com. In addition, the two will be sharing MBFW updates across the Happy Hour Mom social networks (Twitter, Facebook, etc.).  Shannon and Toni are receiving compensation and travel accommodations for their work with Diet Pepsi at Mercedes-Benz Fasion Week, however all posts and updates express the thoughts and opinions of Happy Hour Mom.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

mercedes-benz fashion week | richard chai fall collection 2012 is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

While Terri Giuliano Long has enjoyed remarked success with her self-published novel In Leah’s Wake, she recently “announced the European launch of a revised version of her self-published book by Inspired Quill Press.” In a recent Inspired Quill Press release, author Terri Giuliano discusses the latest edited release of In Leah’s Wake:

The newly edited edition features two new chapters and several new scenes. “I listened carefully to responses and suggestions I received from readers and reviewers,” Long says. “I cut over 60 pages and added insights while still maintaining the integrity of the original edition and showcasing what I felt were the best parts of the novel.”

With the launch of Happy Hour Mom’s Book Club, the wonderful Ms. T.G.Long thought it was only fitting that our Happy Hour Mom readers received the first of the revised edition. We couldn’t be more thrilled! She has generously offered to giveaway 4 fantastic prizes :

1) Signed copy of the novel, In Leah’s Wake, with a bookmark (3 lucky readers will receive this offer!)

2) Grand Prize: Canvas Tote, a $ 15 Starbucks card, a signed copy of In Leah’s Wake, and a bookmark (1 reader will be selected for the grand prize!)

Bonus: While not part of the giveaway, Happy Hour Mom will also be featuring an interview with Terri Giuliano Long towards the end of the month, and each of you will have the opportunity to submit questions directly to the author herself!

Don’t miss out! Please enter the giveaway only if you are truly interested in participating in the HHM Book Club. We are looking for moms who are passionate about reading, and who would love to discuss great novels with other like-minded mommas. The HHM Book Club is going to be full of fun giveaways and great surprises, and we can’t wait to go on this exciting adventure together. So sign up today, and enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

giveaway :: 3 signed copies of in leah’s wake & a special grand prize offer is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Check out pictures from Beyonce, Jay Z and new baby Blue Ivy Carter’s hospital room. The suite came equipped with 4 flat screen televisions, kitchenette, gorgeous styling, modern furniture and state-of-the-art electronics. Rumors have been spread that the powerhouse couple spent a reported 1.3 million dollars at New York hospital, Lenox Hill. (The hospital begs to differ) If true, they were able to turn 6 hospital suites into two 5 star hotel-like suites to bring the pop princess to-be into the world.

There has been much backlash after women who were also delivering at the same hospital that were not treated fairly. If you had their kind of deep pocket books would you even go to a hospital? Or, would you bring the hospital to you?

I was blessed to have my baby boy at the American Hospital of Dubai and felt like I was treated like royalty. After my C-section I had a five day stay, no pain, 5 course meals, amazing staff who literally did EVERYTHING for us, pristine accommodations, excellent doctors and top-notch care. Now that my hubby and I are pondering baby #2 I’m kind of nervous to think about our next experience. In the beginning I was deathly afraid of giving birth abroad without my closest friends and family. After my own 5 star treatment, plus, our amazing friends we had in Dubai, we felt liberated. It was such a special time in our life I hope Jay Z and Beyonce were able to get past the hype and cherish their special moments. To each it own…

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

a look inside beyonce’s hospital room is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

2010 was a year full of amazing ups and tragic downs. From the Chilean miners rescue to the BP Oil Spill Americans witnessed a whole slew of dramatics. Whether your issues are personal or public we can all hope for improvements for 2011. The Today Show did an amazing job at recapping 2010′s top stories of the year. Enjoy the last few days of 2010.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

top stories of 2010 recap is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

MY MISSION FOR THE NEW YEAR:

“What is your New Year’s Resolution?”

It is interesting, I don’t remember the last time I actually carried out my resolutions consistently for an entire year, let alone a month. Maybe it is a jinx. Maybe the more I “say” I am going to accomplish something–be it weight loss, consistent workout regimen, finishing school, etc.–the less of a chance that it will actually happen. This whole New Years resolution thing really messes with my mind. For some reason I feel like this year might be different.  Mostly because my life is due for change. 2010 has been a trying, interesting, yet blessed year. My family has gone through so many ups, downs and all arounds that we are left feeling more blessed and driven than ever.  So, instead of your traditional “resolutions,” 2011 is going to be a year of positive changes. It has to be, right?

Don’t get me wrong, I get sucked back in to tradition every year, and have already decided I would start P90X to kick my butt into gear. But more importantly, my goal is to get my bearings. My husband is a professional athlete. A phenomenon that only those who have experienced the lifestyle first hand can truly understand. After an amazing year in Dubai, back in 2008, my husband’s career was put on hold due to a knee injury. I was pregnant, he couldn’t walk for 7 months (not at all), we had an active 4 year old running around at the time, a diminishing savings account that served as our “cushion” to my full-time, on-my-feet-all-day-while-pregnant0and-waddling job. The amazing thing about it is that not once did we pout or feel sorry for ourselves. We weren’t sure if my husband would ever be able to play again and didn’t know how we would be able to support a family of 4 until he was able to work, but we managed to get closer than ever. I would say it was one of the best years of our lives in regards to our relationship.

However, when you go through hardships like that, you are constantly looking for light at the end of the tunnel. That little crack of sunshine, reassuring you that it is all going to start looking up. Well, when you are an athlete who plays primarily overseas, stability and consistency is not always available. We are now four years in, plugging away–still happy, still healthy, still well-fed and living in a warm home–yet still looking for that crack of light. With no ability to plan ahead, I often find myself consumed with the current “situation” rather than having the ability to focus on the future. It is difficult as a woman, wife, mother, to worry about myself, when there are far too many priorities that seem much more important. I started Happy Hour Mom in 2009 as a way to find myself again and do what I love–write.  So as 2011 approaches, what I have in mind is not as much a resolution as it is a goal (trying to avoid the jinx here), backed with great determination.

In 2011, I want to find MY way. Not who I am as a mom or a wife. But to reconnect with the aspirations that I have for myself. My dream is to write. Whether that be as a Novelist, Journalist, Columnist…I don’t care. I want to be published. I want to see my name on a by line. It may sound ridiculous to some, but for me it will be an accomplishment. Validation to myself that in addition to being a wife and a mom, I can still do more than nurse babies and sing the ABC’s.  And believe me, I can do both REALLY well. Now I have plenty of “by lines” on websites and blogs across the web–I want something more concrete. 20011 will be spent looking, and FINDING, that opportunity. Let’s just hope that as I write my “goals” for 2012, I can report back with success and link to this post with a smile on my face : )

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network blogging program, for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://own.twittermoms.com/about)

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

new year mission is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

As many of you already know, I am a huge fan of MTV’s Teen Mom. As I was going through my normal browsing of the Internet this morning, I ran across the trailer for Teen Mom scheduled t air on January 11th at 10 pm. It is a new set of girls from 16 and Pregnant, and it will be interesting to see how the lives of the teens have changed since baby (or babies) arrived. I know there is some controversy over the show, and what exactly it is promoting, but I think that MTV does a decent job of showing teens that having a baby is not easy on anyone, especially those who are still in high school. I don’t think it encourages teens to get pregnant or glamorizes motherhood at all, however, I think the naysayers are reacting to the attitudes of the featured moms, and the so-called “celebrity” that has developed as a result of the show. While these ladies may have had their 15 minutes, and been featured in a magazine or two, they are still very much living in reality with their young children. All I know is that, come January 11th, I will be purchasing the new season on iTunes. (Just in case you are wondering why I will have to purchase it on iTunes, while living in Europe we are unable to watch MTV online.)

Read HappyHourMom.com’s previous interview with Catelynn of the original Teen Mom series.

I was having a hard time finding a trailer I was able to embed, and hope to update to a better quality video as soon as possible, sorry for the quality!

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

new season of teen mom on mtv is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Looking for a way to spend your Happy Hour? As moms, it is no longer about finding time to ourselves, we must MAKE time. You can check out our daily shot of Happy Hour Tips on our home page or check them out in our archived collection on the Daily Shot page. Want to be a part of the fun? Submit your suggestions for the daily dose of Happy Hour and you may be a part of the fun. We will share your tip, and include your name in the feature. Keep your tip at 140 characters or less (the length of a Tweet) to make sure it is eligible for selection! You can submit your tips on our Daily Shot page, can’t wait to read them!

CHEERS!

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

introducing our daily dose of happy hour is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

mixed-gender room | building a room around one key design element

mixed-gender room design | selecting the perefect color palette for your nursery

mixed-gender nursery | finding accessories for your nursery

Want to read more on room design/decor and see some of their amazing nursery creations? Check out the Little Crown Interiors blog and website!

Naomi + Gerri of Little Crown Interiors

As partners and best friends, Naomi & Gerri are the co-creators of Little Crown Interiors, a Southern-California based interior design firm specializing in nurseries and children’s rooms.  The two share a deep love for children, a collective excitement for innovation in design, and the feeling that a nursery is more than just beautiful bedding and artwork.  Having designed close to 60 nurseries and children’s rooms, and with hands-on motherhood experience, the pair have become experts in nursery and children’s design, and their services are available nationwide.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

the perfect gender-nuetral room | thanks go to little crown interiors + caden lane is a post from: Happy Hour Mom