About
Dumb Mom is the mom behind the popular humor and parenting blog parenting BY dummies. Outsmarted by her children daily as she attempts to navigate motherhood, childhood, and everything in between she enjoys sharing her stories of failure and success with you in a humorous, heartfelt, and honest way. She may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she is definitely the best dressed (an advantage completely lost by being inside of a shed) as she prides herself on being a handbag role model for the masses.
Dumb Mom is not your everyday mom blogger. She doesn’t craft (not well anyway). She doesn’t share many healthful dinner alternatives (because she likes bacon, and bacon flavored products). And, child centered activities are not her forte (although she has come up with some interesting child centered activities designed to keep kids busy while she partakes in adult centered activities). But, she loves her Dudes like nobody’s business and is making a real go of being a good, okay, a decent mom, despite not being able to match wits with a toddler.
The mom behind the dummy is a former middle school language arts and social studies teacher, turned stay-at-home-mom, turned graduate student, turned professional photographer, freelance writer, problogger and general director of awesomeness. She reluctantly resides in Maryland with her husband and three small Dudes where she laments leaving the California sunshine on a daily basis.
She writes a local review blog for FiND iT Frederick Magazine (yup someone hired this dummy to go out and try stuff, because if Dumb Mom can do it, ANYONE can!) and contributes to a number of online and in print publications.
Interested in contacting Dumb Mom because you want to give her a product to review, host a giveaway of something you think is awesome, have her work her magic on your Twitter and Facebook pages, tell her you love her? Email her at: parentingbydummies@gmail.com
Don’t call or come by. That would make you creepy and Dumb Mom is not for creepy.
Thanks for visiting me at parenting BY dummies, where life for this mom is so dumb it’s funny!
Wanna stalk me better?
Here, let me help:
-The post about my baby’s daddy, don’t worry, it’s Dumb Dad.
-The post where I answer a ton of random questions about random me.
-If you want to hire me to take your picture you have to a) live in the DC or Baltimore Metro areas, b) have money, and c) not be insane. I am a professional photographer in Maryland. I mostly take pictures of babies and children because I can stand it when they pout. I can’t stand it when grown ups pout, but I do weddings too in spite of this.
Think you know me from somewhere???
Maybe you’ve seen me on TV helping people find cost effective baby gear that works or getting a makeover courtesy of TLC’s What NOT to Wear!
And, if you want to read some of my for real work, you can find it here:
TLC’s What NOT to Wear Blog (I write the weekly show recaps for the site!)
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Dumb Mom,
I have been reading your blog recently and wondered if with a busy schedule and some energetic kids you may be finding it difficult to shop healthy on a tight budget. I thought you might be interested in a special event for bloggers we’re hosting on behalf of SHOPPERS Food & Pharmacy on May 10 that focuses on a new program called nutrition iQ.
The nutrition iQ program is designed to help supermarket shoppers manage their health by making it easier to find nutritious foods at a glance. The system consists of easy-to-see shelf tags that call out the top one or two nutritional benefits of each qualified item in seven categories including fiber, calcium, protein, sodium, calories, saturated fats and whole grains.
Nutritionist Jenny Shea will be at the event to give tips on how to use nutrition iQ items to create healthy meals on a budget, address special dietary needs and answer any of your other nutrition/health related questions. Think of it as a free, private session with a nutritionist, followed by a delicious lunch!
SHOPPERS collaborated with an independent panel of registered dietitians from Boston’s renowned Joslin Clinic, part of the Harvard Medical School network, to ensure that the items are, at a base level, better for you. Before receiving a nutrition iQ tag, products are screened by Joslin dietitians to confirm that they have limited levels of sodium, saturated fat and sugar.
Here’s the run-down for the event:
What: VIP nutrition iQ Event
Where: SHOPPERS
Potomac Yard Center
3801 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22305
When: Monday, May 10
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (lunch will be served)
All are welcome (including kids). Please R.S.V.P. by May 1st to myself (Parker) via email or phone.
Hope to see you there!
nutrition iQ must have been listening when the First Lady said, “The last thing I had time to do was to stand in a grocery store aisle squinting at ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce to figure out whether something was healthy or not. … Parents shouldn’t need a magnifying glass and a calculator to make healthy choices for their kids.”
Thank you,
Parker
Parker Musselman
Aigner/Prensky Marketing Group
214 Lincoln street, Suite 300
Allston, MA 02134
p: 617.254.9500
f: 617.254.3700
http://www.aignerprenskymarketing.com
Who on earth leaves comments on the about page? Ummm, apparently me and the PR guy above. All I have to say is bacon covered dates = heaven. Really, have you tried them? Bacon, round a pitted date with a toothpick to seal the deal. In the oven at 425 until the bacon carmelizes. Totally organismic. There a non healthy recipe from a blogging mum (I do craft though, badly.)
^ and me too because there’s no email info on this blog
hahaha!
Oh, and I grabbed your button, I shall return soon!!
I love your about page. You have a gift for words.
Love all the awesomeness!!!!
Blessing
info@workingmomjournal.com
http://www.workingmomjournal.com
Your “about” page is awesome!! Love it!! You seem to have quite a flare for words…can’t wait to read more!!
A friend of mine actually directed me to your site for advice on what I should include in an “about” page on my blog. You really are very funny and I am adding your blog to my links.
Selena
becausemotherhoodsucks.blogspot.com
So I am sitting at home, doing my typical Sunday TLC Say Yes to the Dress watching ritual and who do I see… you, my ex-college roommate being previewed on What Not to Wear. While I have yet to see the show, the opportunity to reconnect with a previous classmate was a must. As a new mom, I am interested in checking out your blog, because no amount of education could never have prepared me for the world of mommy hood. Hope to connect with you soon. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and new look.
Monique
I just watched What not to Wear and have to say that it broke my heart when you said that you rarely felt beautiful until the make over… I feel the same way most days… Always smiling but inside just feeling broken… I just want to say that you are so beautiful before and after your make over
You are an inspiration to me 
And I love your blog!
Sarah
You should change you blog title to ~Beautiful Mom in the house! Hubby and I watched What Not to Wear last night (not his choice for once) and was totally inspired to check out your site. I just had to send you a quick message. Last night I caught myself more than once nudging him from the other side of the couch “see that’s how I feel”. So this morning I took time to properly shower (not just a quick rinse off), blow dry and straighten my hair (and we’re not even going anywhere special today)! However the trip to the closet didn’t pan out so well. Threw on a pair of size too big jeans, sinched with a cracked patent leather ( aka plastic) belt and a hand me down sweater, FROM MY MOM! (moms got taste but really don’t old hand me downs usually mean “its done”?!) So the question is how do I do it without $5000?
You are wow, in every way!
p.s. Have you put sweats back on?
Shannon (mom of Sadie and pregnant again!)
Hopefully my new weekly series, Formerly Frumpy Fridays will help both of us stay stylish! My entire approach to shopping and dressing has changed dramatically since the show!
just watched your epi on wntw…YOU R AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL!!! i am a single mom of 2 age girls age 16 and 6 i work full time go to school full time and take care of both girls by myself…during all that it is ez 2 4get about the ME in MOMMY i am a faithful wntw watcher and i LOVE stacy and clinton…i joked with my 16 yr old tht i would go buy fake horrible clothes and fake secret footage just to Meet them n be on the show…i know i got issues right?? course my daughter sd uh mom…u weren’t always a fashionista u used 2 live in frumpy sweats n slippers n pjs too…n e way…i just wanted to say keep up the amazzing look and im def tuning into ur blog to see wht u r saying….formerly frumpy in oh…lol…P.s. i hd my first kid in college at 21 and its hard to fine the ME in mommy…but never feel guilty about taking time for you….
Just wanted to say I watched WNTW and enjoyed your episode.
Did you put a diffuser on your blow dryer, like Ted used? That will get your hair more like he did it, although it still looks nice even a little flatter.
How do you do this without $5K.
Really it’s not hard, just takes longer than one week.
I did it a couple years ago.
The inspiration was that I’d lost 20 lbs and needed some new things anyway.
But I started by tossing all tapered leg pants, and all long jackets.
Then tossed anything that was “pilling” or faded, or just plain ugly.
I bought two pair of boot cut jeans (straight leg might work better for you, try them both on and see!)
And one pair of nice black slacks, also boot cut.
NO PLEATs and no tapered legs!!
If you have really long skinny legs, maybe you can wear the skinny jeans, but most of us aren’t ‘cut’ for those. It’s about BALANCE, you don’t want to look widest at your hips or belly!
Tops and jackets should not be too long. If they come to the middle of your ‘problem area’ such as belly or “more than J-Lo butt”, then they actually cut that area in half.
It’s a lot of optical illusions, but works.
With a couple pair of well fitted jeans, and a pair of black slacks, and a good critical eye to your tops and jackets, you can make quite a few nice outfits.
Scarves are an inexpensive way to add a pop of color or a different look to an outfit.
I didn’t get any dresses because I have a casual lifestyle and wear pants most of the time.
I treated myself to a fitted jacket and got so many complements about looking thinner—it was all the jacket!!
For me, the hair means getting a good basic cut that you can style easily on your own, and going back at least every second month for a reshaping. You can go to one of those walk in places and have a nice cut for under $20.
It won’t be the $300 cut (or more?) that you’d get on WNTW, but it still can be a good shape and freshen your look.
I tossed my old makeup, and invested in Bare Minerals, which works great for me. You may not need to toss yours, but do keep brows under control, and every morning, do put on at least some lipgloss and maybe a little blush—if you are not planning to go anywhere.
You can do a more complete makeup if you are going out somewhere.
Always use a good moisturizer with SPF each morning, and a good night cream.
This also does not have to be expensive. OLAY makes reasonably priced products, and is always highly rated. You can buy it in WalMart when its on sale, and save even more.
Then treat yourself to a good manicure.
Once you’ve got that, it’s easier to keep it up yourself.
If you are like me and want to lose a few lbs. then when you sit down to watch WNTW or another tv show at night, instead of sitting down with potato chips, sit down with your manicure supplies. File your nails where needed to keep that nice shape you got at the salon, Play with nail polish, practice makes perfect! As long as you have remover, you can do over any mistakes.
And the bonus is that while you are doing your nails, you can’t stick your hands into a bag of chips!
We can all look our best without spending $5K or devoting hours and hours each day to the effort.
And we all do deserve to look our best!
Good luck finding your way to YOUR makeover.
Caught you on WNTW and I’ve got to ask, what, where, how, why did you ever get so down on yourself? You are gorgeous! I love that show and sometimes the make-overs are truly transformational in terms of how they look from where they started. I could see right from the beginning that this was going to be easy for them – your skin tone, your eyes, your “real” smile, your awesome hair, your body, your legs – holy cow why were you covering them? Then to come to this blog and see how talented you are? Girl, you’ve always had it and I am so glad you now know it!
I watched What Not To Wear today and decided to check out your blog. It was awesome. You are a special, talented lady and great mom I’m sure! I have all boys too. Life is busy, but always worth taking a few minutes for yourself. I am definately a fan and will follow your blog. You are a great writer. Didn’t you just love Clinton and Stacy? I love watching that show!
Hello there! I saw your episode of WNTW and I just wanted to say that you totally rock! Your blog is great , and so is your family and your new look. Just here to offer you a little encouragement. Never believe the negativity your mind tells you. You are beautiful and never tear yourself down again! Wishing you success with everything. PS… I also have 3 boys, but you haven’t charted into my territory yet… wait until your kids hit their teen years!! It’s a whole new ballgame! Then I have a 1 year old to balance it all! LOL. It’s not easy, that’s for sure.
PS… I will follow your blog! I look forward to more!
P.S. will follow your blog too.
Trying to post comment again. I loved your What Not To Wear Episode (one of my favorite shows). I decided to try to follow the “rules” for one day and wrote a blog piece about your episode and my attempt to be a stylish mom on the go…on Technorati (in the style section). It’s not that easy!!
Saw you on What Not To Wear. Love your blog! You have no idea how much you inspire people. I am a writer, but you really inspired me to get on the case with my blogs as well as my style.
Stay up! You are gorgeous, talented and going places!!! Don’t ever give up!
Hey! I know you! I just watched that What not to Wear episode with my cherubs last week. They were all, “MOM! It’s a Mommyblogger! Do you know her? Huh? Do ya? Do ya?”
To which I responded that there are approximately one bajillion Mommybloggers hurtling through the Blogosphere, and no…I did not know you.
But now? Because of Shell? I do! *high kick with spirit fingers*
Loving your blog. Off to go stalk you on Twitter now.
Shell sent me over…I can’t pull myself away, but my kids are literally climbing the walls. They don’t enjoy blogging as much as I do. Back later…happy to have found you!
Came over from Shells blog..and I saw you on What Not to Wear and just loved you on the show!
i love bacon too. you should try peanut butter and bacon sandwiches (on toast is the best). it elevates bacon to a whole new exciting level
Hello,
I just had a question about your website, parentingbydummies.com, and found it fun and interesting! If you could e-mail me back, I would love to talk with you.
Thank you for your time.
Hey,
I have to say that I saw you today on What Not to Wear. I watched in awe as you were saying the exact same things that I have said numerous times. I am a mom of 2 little girls. I have taken a complete back seat . I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, and also a daycare provider. You really inspired me to start thinking about myself, even though it is a very hard journey to even start down. Thank you so much for revealing your inner struggle with yourself to help others.
Hey Girl,
I just finished watching your what not to wear. you looked AMAZING! i w ish i could look that good girl! =; I tink you should go out a buy a well deserved pair of sunglasses to go with one of thoes awesome dresses that was on the show. AND GIRL I ABSOLUTLY LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE WITH CLOTHES,
STEPHANIE
Hello-
I recently came across your site and wanted to take a moment of your time to discuss an issue I think all adults value- childhood education. I have written a few articles on childhood education, and one I think you would specifically be interested in- cooking with children! That being said, I was wondering if you would like to read it and hopefully post it on your blog? Let me know what you think and I can send it along if you’d like. I would also be interested in any advertising opportunities you may have. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you in advance for your time!
Emily
–
Emily Patterson
Communications Coordinator
Primrose Schools
epatterson@primroseschools.com
Dear Parenting By Dummies,
Want to be one of the first to hear about some of the Zoo’s coolest events of the year? Because of your popular blog and dedication to finding fun, family activities, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore wants to include you on our press release email list. You will receive an email every time a press release is distributed informing you of the news or event, and any information you need to attend.
Being a part of this email list means you have access to all the information on events at the Zoo, including shows, fundraisers, births, educational activities, and more. You will be the first to know about approaching family or adult events, the first to know about the deals offered through these events, and the first to hear of the latest undertakings at the Zoo.
Some of the events you will learn of include our popular Breakfast with the Animals series, or our upcoming fundraiser Brew at the Zoo, and Wine Too!
You will also hear about the educational and enrichment activities, often including the birthdays of some beloved animals, like the Zoo’s first-born pachyderm Samson who turned three-years-old this year! Through these emails, you will also learn about family involvement activities that the Zoo offers, like nature walks or bird watching through Druid Hill Park.
If you would like to be included on the Zoo’s press release email list, email jane.ballentine@marylandzoo.org.
Thanks,
CJ Harbach
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
I’d love to have you as a Guest Blogger on http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com! If you are interested, give me a shout! I might even hear you, I don’t live that far from you!
Dear Amanda R.:
Just saw you on What Not To Wear—–and fell in love with that dress you wore on your first Reveal, the blue/black/white print with the diagonal blocking and black triangular block at the waist. It was AWESOME! I know this has nothing to do with your blog and I’m sorry (I’m a little past this area—my kids have kids!). And I can’t find your episode on the TLC site, so could you please have pity on me and tell me the manufacturer of that gorgeous dress and where it can be bought??? You looked divine in it; I’m sure you wear it a lot. Thank you, Amanda!!
Well, I found the dress. As someone above said, it’s by BCBGMaxazria and I found ONE dress on-line, after searching for nearly an hour, and it was a size XS (no way). I’m heartbroken. But I did find another BCBG on bluefly and bought it; it has basically the same figure compliments as the one Amanda has. I will keep up my search, however. Another one of those dresses has GOT to be out there!!
beautiful blog! oh how I love your awesomeness, wit and the coolness as a mom. definitely, will visit here more often.. I’m sure ima learn a lot here.:) I’m a follower now, Godbless!
Hi Amanda,
Your ep of TLC’s WNTW was one of my fave ever. I especially loved your make up (both glam and natural simutaneously), and would like to do something similar for my wedding next month. I was trying to explain it to the woman who’s going to do my makeup, but words couldn’t do it justice. Do you have any pics (especcially close-ups) you can e-mail me so I can send them to her? If not, do you have the contact info. for a real person at the show (Carmindy or anyone else) that could help me out?
THANKS!!!
Dawn
Thanks for the quick reply. Also hit Carmindy up on Twitter for a pic featuring your eyes as well.
I just saw your WNTW episode. I’m not a mom and I’m older than you but I REALLY related to a lot of what you said and did. And if I could relate, I know a lot of moms could. I just wanted to say that I hope that that episode did everything (good) for you that it was meant to do. Wishing you and your family all the best!
I stumbled on your blog while searching “What to wear to a blogging conference.” Love your site!
I also have to mention that – small world – I am originally from Frederick, MD. I was shocked to see you write for their website! I’m in SC now, but I thought that was pretty cool!
Just wanted to say I watched WNTW and enjoyed your episode.
Did you put a diffuser on your blow dryer, like Ted used? That will get your hair more like he did it, although it still looks nice even a little flatter.
How do you do this without $5K.
Really it’s not hard, just takes longer than one week.
I did it a couple years ago.
The inspiration was that I’d lost 20 lbs and needed some new things anyway.
But I started by tossing all tapered leg pants, and all long jackets.
Then tossed anything that was “pilling” or faded, or just plain ugly.
I bought two pair of boot cut jeans (straight leg might work better for you, try them both on and see!)
And one pair of nice black slacks, also boot cut.
NO PLEATs and no tapered legs!!
If you have really long skinny legs, maybe you can wear the skinny jeans, but most of us aren’t ‘cut’ for those. It’s about BALANCE, you don’t want to look widest at your hips or belly!
Tops and jackets should not be too long. If they come to the middle of your ‘problem area’ such as belly or “more than J-Lo butt”, then they actually cut that area in half.
It’s a lot of optical illusions, but works.
With a couple pair of well fitted jeans, and a pair of black slacks, and a good critical eye to your tops and jackets, you can make quite a few nice outfits.
Scarves are an inexpensive way to add a pop of color or a different look to an outfit.
I didn’t get any dresses because I have a casual lifestyle and wear pants most of the time.
I treated myself to a fitted jacket and got so many complements about looking thinner—it was all the jacket!!
For me, the hair means getting a good basic cut that you can style easily on your own, and going back at least every second month for a reshaping. You can go to one of those walk in places and have a nice cut for under $20.
It won’t be the $300 cut (or more?) that you’d get on WNTW, but it still can be a good shape and freshen your look.
I tossed my old makeup, and invested in Bare Minerals, which works great for me. You may not need to toss yours, but do keep brows under control, and every morning, do put on at least some lipgloss and maybe a little blush—if you are not planning to go anywhere.
You can do a more complete makeup if you are going out somewhere.
Always use a good moisturizer with SPF each morning, and a good night cream.
This also does not have to be expensive. OLAY makes reasonably priced products, and is always highly rated. You can buy it in WalMart when its on sale, and save even more.
Then treat yourself to a good manicure.
Once you’ve got that, it’s easier to keep it up yourself.
If you are like me and want to lose a few lbs. then when you sit down to watch WNTW or another tv show at night, instead of sitting down with potato chips, sit down with your manicure supplies. File your nails where needed to keep that nice shape you got at the salon, Play with nail polish, practice makes perfect! As long as you have remover, you can do over any mistakes.
And the bonus is that while you are doing your nails, you can’t stick your hands into a bag of chips!
We can all look our best without spending $5K or devoting hours and hours each day to the effort.
And we all do deserve to look our best!
Good luck finding your way to YOUR makeover.
+1
Loved the spot on the tv show. You’ve got some really great ideas!
Just saw a re-run of your WNTW episode this morning…LOVED IT! I was getting ready to go to lunch with my husband: jeans, running shoes, long sleeved tee, pilling hoodie and all! Almost immediately after sitting down I began telling him about the show! I told him that I had been inspired to save up some cash and go buy some “real” clothes. Maybe I can look like all of the well-put-together-moms at Target! Maybe I can look like YOU! I truly feel like I share some of the same issues you seemed to have about your body/appearance. I told my husband that I’m over it! It’s time for me to quit lamenting about the 20 lbs I want/need to lose and dress like I want to RIGHT NOW! I know my kids love me, but I think they would love to see me love myself. Thanks for the kick in the backside…it’s just what I needed!
I am jumping on my trampoline while I watch you on “What Not to Wear”. I’m just at the first 10 minutes and I just had to admire your courage to go on the show and I’d like to invite you to have a conversation with me about how to shore up the rest of the “feeling good about yourself” experience. Clothes matter but as you can see, there will be other areas too. Anyway, just a thought and you can reach me at the email address above. Big giant hugs to you and your lucky family.
thanks for commenting on my blog, it’s very nice to meet you!
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