At Chic Mom Magazine, we love moms so much, that when we can, we offer makeovers to them – just because we think they deserve it! Even though it is just one day, seeing oursleves all glammed up and tweaking our looks can be very liberating – or at least light the spark that it takes to ignite positive changes in our lives.

For this makeover, we are so happy to feature one of Chic Mom Magazine’s most loyal fans, Courtney Hutson, from One Bored Mommy (www.oneboredmommy.blogspot.com). Courtney is an open hearted woman filled with joy and works her patootie off as mom to 4 young children.

Sponsoring the makeover was Carol Bowden of The Carol Bowden Salon in New York City (www.carolbowdensalon.com).

Carol transformed Courtney’s appearance by giving her a gorgeous new hair cut and color, as well as giving her a make up assessment and applying new make up to Courtney’s unadorned face.

Also offering her tremendous and memorable services was Eve Bender, Style Therapist (Yes, Style Therapist! Now, that’s the kind of therapy I need…).

Carol transformed Courtney into a completely chic mom, and Eve helped Courtney get in touch with the core of her own inner chic self which Courtney felt had been dormant for some time. Eve took Courtney – shopping!! Something Courtney hadn’t done in a loooonnnggg time.

 We interviewed Courtney before her makeover to find out a little bit about her. 

 Here’s what she said.

Facts about Courtney: How long married? How many kids? How old are they? Where are you from? Did you always see yourself as becoming a mom – of 4??

John and I have been married for 7 years (Feb 2002) and we have four kids: an 8 year old son (who was a total surprise and blessing all at once), a 6 year old daughter, a 3 year old daughter and a 1 year old son.

I am from Bakersfield, CA. I always wanted to be a mommy (in fact, I wanted to be a SAHM as a child), but never thought I’d have more than two kids.

However, after we had the first two, we moved back to my hometown, where all of my friends were having their first. I got baby fever so bad…and begged my husband to have a third. The fourth was a result of lots of polling (people who had already raised three kids) and found that most people who had three always wished they had, had a fourth to even out the numbers.

I begged and pleaded and finally got my way. Our fourth baby was miscarried at 6 weeks and we got pregnant 2 months after that with our youngest son. We have such a full house, but it’s so full of love and fun, I would never change it for a moment!

What’s the best thing about being a mom?

My kids! I know…typical answer, but it’s true! I couldn’t be a mommy without them. They make my heart beat and take my breath away daily.

They make me laugh, cry and want to pull my hair out…all at the same time. Their smiles light my heart on fire and when they hurt, their cries break it.

The proof that the nine months of grueling body stress was worth it, the second that sweet child appears and takes it’s first breath. The entire process of being a mommy is amazing and something that I TRULY TREASURE!

 What’s been the most unexpected thing about being a mom?

The most unexpected thing about being a mom is seeing how much each child has of me in them. When they came out, they all looked like their daddy…ALMOST IDENTICALLY clone children of each other. But as they grow and mature into little people, their character traits come shining through and I see me.

GOOD, BAD, INDIFFERENT, but 100% me. It’s odd at times, and wonderful at other times. But I would say, I really wasn’t expecting it as much as it is evident in my kids. Seeing myself in my kids has been truly unexpected!

What’s been hardest for you?

Probably the hardest thing for me, is balancing it all. My husband works a LOT of hours at his job, to provide for our “larger” sized family…which means that a lot of (or almost all) of the other responsibilities fall on me. I know if he could be here, he would be. But I also know he’s sacrificing his time so I can be at home with the kids.

With four kids, there are a lot of things that most people don’t think about as being ‘extra.’ Extra schedules (school and activities), extra attitudes & opinions, extra laundry, extra things, that make for a lot less extra MOMMY time for me! But I know it’s worth it and in the end, sometimes the hardest sacrifices are the ones that make the most difference in the lives of kids when they are older.

What have you learned about yourself since becoming a mom?

I have learned that I have more energy than normal people! Thankfully, I find it in myself (and a very strong faith) to keep GOING…no matter how tired (or sleep deprived) I am.

I have also learned how blessed I am, too. So many people are trying, these days, to have a family and can’t…and it makes me hold my babies a little tighter and give thanks to God a little more often for the tremendous gifts He’s given to me as a mother.

Tell me about your blog – how did you start it? How many followers do you have? What is your blog’s purpose and what do your readers like to hear from you?

I started my BlogSpot last year when we moved across the country from California to Connecticut. We moved in December and the weather change was quite drastic and draining on me. I missed my friends a lot.

I am not used to snow…and definitely not used to being homebound during the winter months and it was grueling on me. I read an article, one day on Yahoo, about MOMMY BLOGGERS. Since I already had a family blog, to keep our family & friends around the country in tune with what’s going on, I thought, “what the heck…I can do that!”

I started reviewing products we had around our house that I had already used and loved…such as Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (LOVE THEM…and a must have for any family with kids), etc.

Then I got the guts up to start contacting companies. My husband doubted (he’ll admit it) that companies would actually send me products to review for free.

But amazingly enough, after a few ‘No’s’ & ‘Not interested’s,’ products started rolling in. From there, it has kind of exploded and I feel so overwhelmed by the blessing it has been.

 Not only do we get to try amazing NEW products, but also I get to share my honest opinions with other mommies and suggest products that can really make a difference for them. Since I have four very different kids, I can also share with my reader’s videos of my kids enjoying the products & take pictures of them using them…which shows the readers what my kids really think about them. The One Bored Mommy BlogSpot currently has 716 followers (directly on the BlogSpot) and a following of 2700+ on Twitter!

What makes you feel ‘chic’ in mind, body and spirit?

Chic…not typically a word that I use in my everyday vocabulary with my kids, but something that I long for regardless. To me,’ Chic’ evokes a feeling of confidence…in who you are and where you are in life.

I know the definition that comes to mind is ‘STYLISH,’ but I wouldn’t say that most day’s I am STYLISH at all. Some days I don’t even get to put on make-up or fix my hair. That’s when Chic becomes more of an attitude than an adjective describing me as a person.

What do you love about chicmommagazine.com? (Besides your makeover!)

I love Chic Mom Magazine for many reasons…

1st – Because it covers topics that apply to me (as a mommy).

2nd – The articles are well written and written honestly from people who have experiences in life that others of us share.

3rd – They have a great idea and concept and I hope that it grows into amazing things that touch many mom’s lives & hearts.

If there’s anything else you feel comfortable sharing or want to share, please do so!

I feel so honored to be the Mommy Makeover Candidate for Chic Mom Magazine! Being completely honest, I often go several weeks without washing my hair (I just don’t find the time to do it, because it takes a lot of time to dry and style it).

I sacrifice a lot of sleep and have felt overwhelmed a lot of times since becoming a mommy. I am so excited to have a chance to start “FRESH” with a new look, a new outlook and maybe even some new clothes, too! Thank you CHIC MOM MAGAZINE!

To read the details about Courtney’s special day, go here: http://tinyurl.com/ybedr6k