Hi I’m Alissa!

I’m a stay at home mom of three kiddos, ages 10, 8, 5, and wife to my high school sweetheart. I guess in a sense I don’t consider myself a SAHM — I’m barely ever home! I’m running to and from dance, cheer, football, basketball, soccer and cross-country four wheeler competitions. For three years I owned a children’s clothing boutique. I’ve always had a love for fashion and styles that you won’t find on just anybody. Last year, I had to make a really tough call and close up shop. With the kids joining more sports and activities the older they got, I’d already been spreading myself too thin. And when my girl started getting into modeling, which required trips to NYC and Atlanta, I just couldn’t be everywhere I needed to be and couldn’t give anything 100%. Obviously, family came first. We live in a very rural area of southwest Pennsylvania. It’s safe to say we are from the country, where as long as it’s above 50 degrees, my kids are outside playing — either riding quads, bikes, digging in my flowers … you know. But hey, I’ve come to realize that the length of time they stay outside has a direct correlation to how pretty my house stays inside. Which in turn gives me more time to shop! Especially where we live, I thank God regularly for Amazon Prime. I mean, I love the idea of being a Pinterest mom — I have the boards to prove it. But I’m a procrastinator at heart, and Prime shipping has saved my butt on more occasions than I can count. After I’ve shipped the kids off to school in the mornings, I love sipping my coffee and seeing how fast I can get my next pair of Jimmy Choo’s while finding replacement parts for whatever the boys broke the day before. I can’t lie, though. If the kids were bears to get out of the house, I might be sipping wine from my coffee cup! Follow me on this journey so I can share with you all of my favorite things: cute outfit details for us moms, the kiddos, or my favorite things from around the house. My husband calls me a shopaholic. I justify, though, because I buy more stuff for my family than I buy myself — and that’s the way I like it.

Family- Like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions. Yet, our roots will remain the same.

He’s been the one to love me and support me for more than half my life. So blessed to share this life with him.

These children are so different, yet so much the same. My boys are two of the sweetest gentlemen I feel so proud to be raising. And, my little girl will give whatever she has to anyone to put a smile on their face. So blessed that they are mine, and are teaching me just as much as I’m teaching them.

 

What others say about me… Bribery may have been involved for these kind messages

“I have known Alissa for 15 years. We first met in prison….she was a High School intern in the Personnel Department and I was employed full time in the Purchasing Department (what did you think I meant)!? I have always known Alissa to be hard working, driven, determined, have a huge heart and is a very passionate person. Why she considers herself a Stay At Home Mom is beyond me? She is rarely at home and when she is, she is taking care of her husband, 3 (VERY ACTIVE) children and her 2 fur babies. Alissa has never been one to sit idle….her quiet time usually leads to new endeavors, planning family get-a-ways, reading a Personal Development book, trying a new recipe or her favorite past time…you guessed it: SHOPPING! She has a unique style, enjoys the finer things just as much as a good bargain and has worked hard to get to where she is. She is a Cheerleader for each of her children and provides opportunities for each of them to follow their God-Sized Dreams. I have known her husband Andrew as long as I have known her and they are very much alike in the area of being driven, hardworking and selfless. They find the best in others and are always willing to give of themselves (their kiddos are following their example)! She is the sweetest, most encouraging, uplifting, kindhearted, giving, compassionate person I have ever met and I’m a better person for having her in my life!!”

~Melissa

“While I’ve known Alissa for many years- sharing many friend groups- I’ve known her well for 5-6 years. Whether you see Alissa sitting on a RZR in the mud, lugging a dance bag on one arm, shoulder pads and helmet on the other, or heading off to a gala, she always looks fantastic. Although her sense of style and love of shopping is impeccable, cliche as it sounds, it is what is on the inside that makes her a natural beauty. Ten years my junior, Alissa has taught me or reminded me of many things that I might have forgotten along the way. 

• Age is really just a number. Enjoy your life through the wonder and excitement of your children’s eyes. 
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Drama just really has no place in a busy mom’s life.
• FOCUS- anything is possible, but hard work is a must!
• And a BIG one- Be comfortable in your own skin! But, if you’re having trouble with this one, run into Alissa. She’s going to be the first one to boost your confidence when you slipped into that little black dress you aren’t sure you should have, bought a new pair of shoes, or tried out a new mascara! She’s going to be the first one to approach you with a genuine compliment.

Alissa and her husband Andrew are the most genuine, selfless, caring, fun couple you will meet in our rural town. You can count on Alissa to call you up when Marshall’s just got a new shipment, to tell you when Nordstrom just listed an online sale for that pair of shoes you’ve been watching, to throw your kids into her mom taxi and know she will treat them like her own, or to have Andrew light the fire pit so you can just relax together.

Mom to two kids myself and also wife to my high school sweetheart, my family’s life is richer having Alissa’s family as a part of it!

~Lauren