Fewer things are as cute as a little one in a pettiskirt! Here is my tutorial on making your own! ENJOY!

Supplies
-Fabric {Use calculation below} For my pettiskirts, I use satin for the yoke and NYLON chiffon for the skirt. { I suggest the nylon chiffon because it doesn’t ravel!} I purchase my nylon chiffon at www.murielleroy.net *You can also use tulle!
-Measurements:
1) Waist {or hips, depending on how you want it to fit} 2) The desired length from waist to where you want the skirt to end.
-Coordinating thread
-Rotary cutter and cutting mat {optional}
-Scissors
-Elastic – 3⁄4” wide elastic and the length will be your waist measurement less 1”
-Satin Ribbon – 1 1⁄2”-2” wide and 2 1⁄2 times the waist measurement
-Ruffler Foot {optional}

Fabric Calculation

Here is a formula to decide how much fabric you need to purchase to make your pettiskirt:

{L = desired length measurement you took above} {W = waist measurement you took above}
Fabric #1 for the yoke
{I suggest satin or cotton for the yoke}
Row #1 – Yoke = (W x 2) by (L/3 + 2”)
In my example, the waist is 21” and the length is 15”, so Yoke = (21” x 2) by (15”/3 + 2”) = 42” by 7”
Since my material is 44” wide, I need 1⁄4 yard (36”/7” = .19 yards)
Fabric #2 for the skirt
{I suggest tulle or nylon chiffon}
Row #2 = (W x 6) by (L/3 + 1”)
In my example, the formula would be:
Row #2 = (21” x 6) by (15”/3 + 1”) = 126” by 6”
Row #3 = (W x 18) by (L/3 + 1”)
In my example, the formula would be:
Row #3 = (21” x 18) by (15”/3 + 1”) = 378” by 6”
Fluff = (W x 36) by 2”
In my example, the formula would be:

Fluff = (21” x 36) by 2” = 756” by 2”
Now you take row #2 plus row #3 plus the fluff and add them together like this:
(Row #1 + Row #2)/width of fabric = number of strips
(126” + 378”)/54” = 9.33 = Round up to 10
Number of strips x 6” = 10 x 6 = 60”
Take the fluff and divide by the width of the fabric like this 756”/54” = 14 strips
Number of strips x 2” = 14 x 2 = 28

So, you need 60” and 28” of fabric for ONE layer of the skirt. Since we have two layers to make, you need to multiply each by 2
to get the total amount of fabric needed!
60” x 2 = 120” – to get the yards needed, divide by 36” 120”/36” = 3.33 yards – round up to 4 to be safe!
28” x 2 = 48”
48”/36” = 1.33 yards – round up to 2 yards again, to be safe.
If you want to do more than one color for the fluff, just take the total amount of fluff needed and divide by the number of colors that you are using

• Please feel free to e-mail me if you need help with the calculation info@theposhparent.com**

Step 1: Cutting Your Fabric
Use the measurements from above and cut the yoke of the skirt.
My yoke is cut 42” by 7”

My strips for row #2 and row #3 are cut 54” by 6” and I cut 20 strips this size. My fluff is cut 54” by 2” and I cut 28 strips this size.

This is quite a bit of cutting and it generally takes me about 1 hour just to cut the fabric, so just be patient and take your time! I use a rotary cutter and self-healing mat to cut the fabric, it is just much easier and quicker as well as more accurate!

Step 2: Sewing the yoke (row #1) and Making the Elastic and Ribbon Casing
Get the fabric you cut for the yoke and place the right sides together. Sew the short ends together using a serger or by doing a French seam.

Making a French seam:
To do a French seam, take the piece of fabric that you cut for row #1 and place the WRONG sides together and the raw side edges even. Stitch 1/4” seam allowance. Open up the fabric and press. Then, turn the fabric with the RIGHT sides together and stitch approximately a 3/8” seam allowance. This will encase the seam allowance and give you a clean finished look which is great if you are selling these.

Now you have made a circle with the yoke fabric. Fold down one side of the yoke 1⁄4” and press and then another 1” and press again.

Sew two button holes approximately 1” apart on the right or left or right hand front side of the skirt (if you want the ribbon bow to be in the front middle then put the button holes in the front middle).
The button holes should be approximately 5/8” high. Make sure the button holes are on the FRONT of the casing.
Stitch the casing close to the edge leaving approximately 1 1⁄2” opening for the elastic. We will insert the elastic and ribbon later.
Step 3: Constructing the Pettiskirt layers

You are going to make 2 layers for the pettiskirt.

Row #2 – The size of row #2 was figured previously, grab that measurement so that you will know how big to make the row!

You may have to cut one of the strips down to make it the right size. For example, if my fabric is 54” and the total length I need to make is 126”, I will need 54” + 54” + 18” to equal 126”. This does not have to be exact, just close. You need to sew each piece of row #2 together at the short ends with right sides together using 1⁄2” seam allowance until you have one big circle. – make 2 of row #2.

Row #3 – Get your measurement for row #3 and proceed just like you did with row #2, adjusting the strips as necessary. Sew each piece of row #3 together at the short ends with right sides together using 1⁄2” seam allowance until you have one big circle. – make 2 of row #3. These rows will seem huge to you, but this is ok because you want that, it’s what gives the skirt it’s fullness.

Step 4: Assembling the Rows
If you have a ruffler foot, you will want to use it now! You will be gathering in a 3:1 ratio.
If you do not have a ruffler foot, run a basting stitch approximately 1⁄4” from the top edge of each row #3. A basting stitch is a long stitch that makes it easy to gather the fabric. Stop at each seam allowance and pull out your fabric, cut the thread, then do the next section. This will make it easier to gather.

Adjust row #3 to fit to the bottom of row#2 by adjusting the gathers to fit and then pin in place. You can do this by gently pulling one thread of the basting stitches and gently gathering the fabric. With the right sides together using 1⁄2” seam allowance, baste row #3 and row #2 together. Check your stitches on the other side and then sew just below the basting stitch using a regular stitch to secure the rows together. Do this with both layers. You can pull out the basting threads if you like once the rows are sewn altogether.

Once both layers are done, pin layer #1 to layer #2 with the right side of layer #2 against the wrong side of layer #1. So, basically the right sides are both facing the same way.

Baste these layers together and then adjust the gathers to fit the yoke just like you did when you attached row #3 to row #2. Place the right sides together and then baste the yoke to the two layers at one time. Once you have checked your stitching, sew the yoke to the layers again using a regular stitch.

Step 5: Adding the Fluff!
Now is the time to attach the fluff to the skirt! To make your fluff, run a basting stich, or use your ruffler, to make one large strip of fluff in the measurement you calculated above. You do not have to attach each strip to the other strips as you can simply put the next piece in line and overlap it slightly. This strip will be 2 times the measurement of the bottom row so you need to use a 2:1 ratio on your ruffler {if you are using one}

Now attach the fluff to your skirt approximately 1⁄4” from the edge of the bottom row, adjusting to fit! You can pin the fluff first to make sure it will fit! You can add the fluff to both layers or just the top layer! If you are using more than one color of fluff just organize the colors in the order you want them on the skirt! I, however, do not ruffle the fluff or gather it first, I just “bunch” it up as I go and it works perfectly! That’s just a quicker way for me to get it done. *You can also find pre-made chiffon ruffles online via Etsy!

Step 6: Inserting the Elastic and Ribbon

Use a safety pin attached to one end of the elastic and carefully feed it through the waistband being careful to not let the other end enter the casing.

When you get it all the way around, gently pull out the end with the safety pin and sew the two ends together by using a straight stitch and go over it several times to hold it together. Allow the elastic to enter the casing and sew the casing closed.

To insert the ribbon, attach the safety pin to one end and carefully feed it through one button hole opening and then around the casing to the other button hole opening.

Finally, tie the ribbon into a pretty bow & you are DONE!

***TIPS***
Also, if this is your 1st time making one it can seem very confusing
for the measurements– I actually am in the
middle of updating the instructions because I have found a new place
to get some pre-cut chiffon!

You can go here– http://www.afc-express.com/neslchro.html
For a 5/6 you can purchase one 2 inch roll that is 60 yards long {for
the fluff at the bottom of the skirt} and one 5 inch roll that is 30
yards long for the 2 tiers.

So, your 1st tier is satin, the 2nd and 3rd tiers are 5 inch wide
chiffon, and then you use the 2 inch wide chiffon as a ruffle along
the bottom. If you want the skirt to be REALLY full you can make the
chiffon 2nd and 3rd tiers twice and sew them together then add the
fluff– I like doing them that way for the bigger girls sizes.

Another tip– if you don’t have a ruffler–increase your stitch length
like you normally would to create a ruffle and then play around with
your tension settings and use some scrap fabric to see how it ruffles
your fabric– I’d jot down those settings for future use . Don’t
backstitch at either of the ends so you can still adjust the ruffle by
increasing or decreasing the ruffles and then you can set them with
stitches.

Kids can be picky and hard to please, I’ve often found this yummy smoothie to be a crowd pleaser at parties for kids. What is fabulous about it is that you can add fresh fruit to it once you have it all blended up. Serve with strawberry slices, raspberries or even chunks of banana on top and feel free to add special little umbrellas, too.

Ingredients:

1 whole banana

1 container of Strawberry yogurt

1 cup of Orange, Pineapple or Apple juice, alternatively you can add Mango nectar for a really unique taste

Ice to preferred consistency

Directions:

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in fancy champagne glasses, plastic of course. You can also serve in colored ice cream dishes as well and add a straw or fun spoon.

For the older kid crowd, you can set-up a smoothie bar, let them pick and choose which additional fruits and juices they want in their basic smoothie mix of banana and strawberry yogurt.

I remember hearing that stressed is desserts backwards and thinking well, HALLELUJAH! Yes! Nothing soothes your stressed out mind better than dessert, chocolate to boot because chocolate also has magical healing powers, or something like that. The holiday months can add so much stress, and I know I am not alone on this one. So many people, what to eat, who’s bringing what, what to wear, who is upset with who and where do you sit all those people? Gifts, parties, snow, driving, clean-up…ugh! I get tense just thinking about it all.

Chocolate is undoubtedly the perfect treat for a stressful day. After a long week of dishes and other housework, football and soccer games and the holidays around the corner, I invited over a few girlfriends for some chocolate and wine…such a delightful pairing. While the wine is always good, the chocolate is what took center stage this night.

Within an hour they were devoured, each and every one! I’ve never seen people fight over chocolate like this before, it was laughable and strangely enjoyable I mean, children fight over the last piece of chocolate, not adults…well, I guess the wine didn’t help with the behavior. hee hee

Soon, we will be setting the table for Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then, New Years Eve. It all comes so quickly and so close in order. Sometimes the simple things in life are the things that matter the most. As you can see in the picture above, I simply added a bag of chocolates into clear glass dishes that I had around the house. The beautiful red wrapper made it look so appealing and festive, so simple.

While lots of people choose to put out chocolate for the holidays, not all truly get the fact that the quality matters. The true sign of a hostess with the mostest is a hostess who treats her guest with the fine quality chocolate you can get from Lindt.

Nothing tastes quite like the Lindor Truffle. Created only by Lindt’s Master Chocolatiers, it’s exquisite chocolate filled with a smooth chocolate center. When the irresistible center starts to melt…so will you. Smooth. Flowing. Luscious. Chocolate like no other.

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

You start off with a set of placemats…yup, PLACEMATS! I got this set of 4 at TJMaxx for $11.99 on Clearance! You will want to opt for the “nicer” placemats that have 2 layers.

Then, you go to JoAnns or Michael’s and buy 2 bags of Polyfil {Use a COUPON and get 2 bags for $7}

Use a seam ripper and open up each corner of the placemat–and fill it with the Polyfill

Fill them as full as you want and then simply hand sew them shut or use your machine for a quicker option

ENJOY your beautiful custom decorative pillows! BONUS: I bought indoor/outdoor mats so, they can be used outdoors to spruce up the place for guests.

It honestly took me about 45 minutes for these…and that was more so because I was a freak about them all having the same amount of fluff…and so I was obsessive with it and really it’s not that serious… they look fabulous and I love that it was inexpensive enough for me to be able to keep this one on the backburner for a quick and unique housewarming gift for a friend!

In comparison I saw similar pillows at TJMaxx for $15-$20 EACH! Even at WalMart a single decorative pillow will cost you $8-$10 each.

Hope you were inspired by the post…happy hunting! Don’t ever underestimate the goodies you might even find at Goodwill or a local yard sale that you can use to transform from placemat to pillow

My husband and I rarely get to go out. When I was invited to an event a few weeks ago that he was actually able to attend with me, it was so fun. It was a mid afternoon event and they had wine tasting from Cameron Hughes. I had the chance to chat with the gals at their table for a few minutes and they recommended the Moscato D’Asti for me to try out. I’m normally a Sweet Red wine gal, but wanted to try something fresh. This was thee perfect choice!

It was very light and refreshing…had a soft pear-like taste, but not at all sugary sweet. It wasn’t thick and almost syrupy tasting like my normal Barefoot Red I drink. This was a real treat. PLUS– we got a 10% off discount code to use later I made sure hubs got a glass to try out and he liked it as well. It was neat to find a light wine that we both could enjoy together.

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary was on August 27th–yup, the day Hurricane Irene hit the east coast We stayed in that night and just had dinner, no drinks, no real fun. So, today as I was going through my bag from the event I stumbled upon the discount card and was SO happy that I had jotted down what we had– went online and ordered 3 bottles! I can hardly wait and was so tempted to opt for the 2 day shipping, but refrained hee hee

We will be toasting with this fabulous wine in a few days… and I am so excited to make my next order and maybe sample a few other wines since their prices are so affordable. They get their excellent quality wines from top tier wineries around the world sort of the way TJ Maxx does with their designer duds– they partner with them to take their surplus…but Cameron Hughes uses their own labels and uses lot numbers.

I hope you can grab a bottle of this wine and see for yourself how yummy it is!

Disclosure: I was only given a sample of this wine in a glass at the event and the 10% off coupon. No monetary compensation was provided and I am posting this as a personal share story with my readers. The link is linked to my Cameron Hughes account for credit if you buy anything from their site. You, too can sign up for their Referral program.

Think your kid is a genius? Well, maybe not!

Parents.com has this great article– Is Your Child Gifted?

I am a mother of 3. I will admit that my 1st child was the golden child and perfect in every way. She slept through the night at 2 months old, she didn’t get colicy, she went right past 2 and 3 into 4 and never made more than a peep when upset. Sure, she was human and cried. She teethed. The biggest issues with her were getting her to take medicine from a dropper and she had a hard time with formula. That’s it! She was such a good kid and she caught on to crawling, walking, talking, potty training…everything on time or well ahead of her age and she was a pro.

She’s a smart kid, I can’t lie. She’s a big reader. We always spent a lot of time with her and books and we encouraged her obsession with books. It has paid off well and our 5 year old is now starting his own education out of the home and we look forward to a stellar report card.

Our kids are smart, but gifted? I don’t think so. I can admit that and I am OK with that. What makes me laugh is some parents who truly believe their child is gifted or advanced and they insist on telling everyone that their child is just amazing. I encourage “those people” to tell their Pediatrician all about their childs talents and accomplishments! I’d love to know what the good ole Doc has to say about your 6 month old eating peanut butter all by herself! Your 4 month old can drink from a sippy cup? AWESOME! Can’t wait to see the bucked out teeth on that one!

Anyway, I gotta go– my 18 month old just made me lunch.

77kids Style School NYC

I struggle with balance, it’s no shocker that most women are at the same place in their lives when they have children who are in grade school or entering grade school. God created us with so much passion and value and a desire for an adventure that we just aren’t wired to sit still. Thank you Lord that you made woman in her own unique way.

As the days pass me by and I sit here realizing just how grown my children are, I contemplate more and more what MY influence is on my own children. I spend so much of my time working on my inner life, finding what makes me tick, how I tick and how to tick off the teens I work with I guess you can say that I have sort of fallen into the whole “you’re just like your Mom” thing. Not that it’s a bad thing necessarily because my Mom did a heck of a job raising 3 kids of her own– all of whom are drug-free, alcohol-abuse free and happily living life….despite the crazy, insane childhood we had. None of us are under any psychiatric evaluation or in a hospital and trust me when I say that in and of itself is a miracle.

My mom stayed home with us for a while. Once we got older she had to work, but she was still home for us when we got out of school. She was able to see us off to school in the morning as well. Daytime assemblies or special events or concerts…my parents weren’t able to attend. Weekends we usually rested or maybe went for a drive. My parents worked hard and were tired out. We had a ton of family so we weren’t ever truly bored. I just don’t really have any memories of FUN with my parents when we were kids.

We always say that we want to learn from our parents mistakes and that we want better for our kids. Are we giving them better?

Moving to the east coast, and thousands of miles away from any blood-related family, we knew that I was going to have to stay home with the kids. It was actually a dream come true for me because I wanted to be home. For the last nearly 4 years I have been able to get my oldest daughter dressed for school, send her off to school knowing that if she has an assembly or special event at school during the day I will be there. When she came home I was gonna be there too to pick her up and bring her home for a snack. The weekends were also going to be family time. This was/is a great, great thing for sure. My son at the time was only 2 and I was so happy to be able to spend more time with him. I had to leave him with my mom when he was only 4 months old so that I could go back to work because we had to have two incomes to live in Orange County. It was just life as we knew it, and as it had to be.

When we got pregnant with our 3rd child, Suriyah, I was so thrilled because I knew this was the ONE child that I was going to be able to fully raise all by myself. Well, of course hubby is raising her, too, but you know– like she was the one kid I would be with 24/7…365… So, anyway– yes, I have been with her pretty much every single day of her life thus far. She’s now 17 months old and hasn’t spent more than 2 days away from me. I love that. I love that my 2 oldest are now starting school and I will be taking them to school and picking them up. And yes, I am human…and yes, I complain about being HOME ALLLLL DAYYY with 3 kids and I lose my cool sometimes…but, it is truly and deeply real and honest when I say that I think that I have found my sweet spot with my kids…and I couldn’t be happier.

Living in New York we often took trips to NYC and went on the train with the kids. They have seen a lot of LIFE here on the east coast. This summer has for sure been the most active summer in even our lives as people ourselves {hubs & I}. I think I am becoming wiser in my old age of 31. We are learning to put our faith 1st and make sure our kids are being fed spiritually as well. Our marriage is important and we try to spend as much quiet time together as possible even if it is just in the living room. And lastly, but still just as important as anything–we make time for the kids and their interests and try to create lasting memories for them.

I just hope to be able to provide an example for my kids to carry on with their kids…and start a new style of motherhood in my family.

Yesterday I worked. A lot. Not that I don’t work other days I mean, I have 3 kids at home right now…I work. I was in desperate need of some bloggy progress and updates were needed here on the blog and I needed business cards made and ordered and before I knew it, it was 4pm and I hadn’t even considered dinner. Hubby was headed home and in an hour he’d be here and I had nothing, nada for dinner…bad wifey!

I looked in my fridge…I had very little. Freezer? Tilapia fillets… hmmm….

Tilapia Filets and 2 avocados

After searching a little bit I cam across this tilapia recipe and at first was like “GREAT!” and then, like most recipes that are awesome…I didn’t have everything I needed.

I had hubby pick up some Chipotle Salsa. The recipe called for chipotles in adobo sauce which another recipe that I love also calls for and so I already knew that I wasn’t going to be able to find that BUT what I had already learned was that chipotle salsa works, too! Perfect!

I mixed the chipotle salsa together with some regular salsa and it was chunky, not saucy like the recipe called for but, I was sure it would be fine. The recipe did say to use crushed tortilla chips for a sort of breading but, I tried to do that the lazy way by just crushing the chips and sprinkling them over the fish with the salsa mixture and in the end when it was all done the chips did nothing for it. I’m gonna leave that out the next time.

chipotle salsa and regular salsa to top the tilapia with

I baked it in the oven at 325 for 12 minutes and did not flip it over as the recipe had also said to do. I’m such a rebel!

The recipe also called for an avocado cream sauce which was made of avocado and sour cream and some other things but I simply mashed 2 avocados and mixed in about 2 tablespoons of sour cream and added salt and pepper and called it a day. It worked. I still felt like it needed more so, I chopped up some cabbage and red onion and added that on top of the fish once it was baked. Added on a scoop of the avocado mixture and YUM YUM YUMMMM!!!

When I added up the calories for this recipe {because I am a lunatic about calorie counting right now} and it was 326 calories per serving. I didn’t use the measurements from the recipe either. I just added enough of the salsa so that it would cover 4 tilapia filets.

Chipotle Lime Tilapia w/ Avocado

Summer is mid-way through and there have been hotter than hot days here in Jersey. Mama needs a drink, and fast!

Crystal Light has introduced these awesome little low cal, full flavor mocktails. They are nonalcoholic flavored drink mix packets just like their regular packets. Add to water and voila!

They are only available for a limited time from what I understand so if you like them, stock up!

While browsing around the web I cam across some ice cream pops made from these mixes! Thanks Dawn from PartyBluPrints

Flavors available are Margarita, Appletini and my fav, Mojito! ENJOY the rest of your summer and let me know if you have tried these and share your thoughts!

Glowing Goddess Ali Landry shares her Mommy Must-Haves! I have to say, she has a great list here. Be sure to check out her Potty Training Tips video after the list!

Happiest Baby on the Block DVD — This video saved our lives.  We are strong believers in the 5 S’s. It worked so well for us that when Estela was first born we had her sleeping through the night at 2 weeks. 

Chefs Diet- This meal delivery system allowed me to always have healthy food options in my home.  It really helped me to lose the baby weight after having Estela and I am using it again with this pregnancy.

Miracle Blanket- In my opinion one of the best swaddling blankets on the market.  Houdini couldn’t get out of this product.  It is amazing.

My Mommy Supper Club-  Myself and some other celebrity moms (Alison Sweeney, Denise Richards, Nancy O’Dell, Candace Cameron Bure, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, Tori Spelling, and Brooke Burke) started a monthly pot luck supper club.  It has been such an amazing support system for all of us.  There is nothing better than having a good group of friends that I you can count on, get advice and tips from, and just have a good laugh with.  

“Show me your mumu” tipsy pant in peacock- I just got these pants and they so flattering , so comfy and so chic.  I love that I can wear them through my pregnancy as well. I want every color!

Coach Audry flagship embossed exotic tote - I love this tote for summer.  Having a toddler I need a bag big enough to carry around her things as well as mine.  It is also a great bag that will transition with the new baby coming.

Dunston Method-  I was on the waiting list for this DVD when it first came out.  It allowed us to decipher our babies cries and react to our babies needs.  It was such a relief as new parent to have this tool.  

Belle Parish layette – I love our layette so much.  I was inspired by all of the beautiful pieces of layette that my mom had put away for me from when I was baby.   I wanted to also make keepsake pieces that you pass on.  

Beauti Control Platinum Regeneration Eye Treatment Pads-   With all of the sleepless nights I have with being pregnant and all the sleepless nights to come with having a new baby I keep these eye patches on hand at all times. These eyepatches make a huge difference in the appearance of the skin around my eyes.  I look refreshed and fine lines are diminished.

Pampers- Not only are they the diaper of choice in our house, but we love how they are celebrating babies through their Little Miracle Missions campaign. My husband and I have pledged acts of kindness to other families through their Facebook page, it’s a win-win for everyone who participates!

Check out her video on Potty Training Tips!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X62YNiSimug&feature=player_detailpage[/youtube]