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About Us
We know that being a mom is much more than a job. It's a full-time-never-get-a-break-don't-put-that-in-your-mouth-no-means-no-lifestyle filled with ups and downs, laughs and tears and memories by the minute. Sure, it can be confusing and completely overwhelming at times, but hey, that's why we're here.
Jen B. and Jen P. originally created this site, and now a team of moms with different views will add to this daily blog. Our goal is to make this the ultimate resource for Charlotte moms and moms-to-be on a variety of activities, events and motherhood-related topics (best parks, cheapest diapers, cool birth announcements, etc). This is a place for us to share as well as our readers, and we don't pretend to know everything here. But, we'll try our best to provide you with plenty of info we've learned through research, trial and, unfortunately, error.
What's Ashley's story? I want to know more about Jen P. I think I know Jenny from somewhere, but where? Find out everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you didn't) about our talented and insightful bloggers who know an awful lot about kids' stuff and the latest goings on around town. We're moms, wives, co-workers, friends, people in the know and, best of all, your guides on this crazy little thing we call Charlotte Smarty Pants.
Our Smarty Moms
Jen Bunich (1971-2008)
Smarty Specialty: Co-Chief Founding Mommy
Married/Husband: 3 ½ years, Boris
Kids: 1 darling little girl
Lived here since: 1994
Unique Smarty perspective:
Jen B achieved the perfect balance between working mom and raising a family. Jen B and Jen P met in 1996 when they both worked at a super fun ad agency along with 30 or so other “Jens.” Jen B was always so incredibly dedicated to her job and she climbed the ladder quickly. After giving birth to her daughter, Claire, Jen decided to continue on with her successful career. In doing so, she wanted to give a voice to the working moms on CSP. In the early days of CSP, Jen and Jen would constantly hash out their struggles between “is it easier to be a working mom or stay-at-home mom?” They both came to the conclusion that if they could merge the greatest aspects of both together, then they would have the perfect life.
We tragically lost Jennifer Bunich to non-smoking lung cancer on February 4, 2008. CSP was forever changed. You will always find a piece of her here. We miss you Jen!"
Jen P.
Smarty Specialty: Chief Founding Mommy
Married/Husband: 9 years, Randy
Kids: 4 (2 identical twin boys, 2 girls)
Lived here since: 1996
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-extraordinaire
Unique Smarty perspective:
In 2005 I was a proud Mom of 2 girls, Isabel (4) and Ansley (6). Life was absolutely storybook perfect. And then, twins happened. Yep, I had twins – identical twins Walker and Owen (almost 2) – and our family of four jumped to six overnight. Whoa. It was frightening and exciting at the same time, and I quickly realized that the keys to survival were being organized, resourceful and always on the lookout for a good bargain. I'm a researcher and tester outer by nature, and soon wanted/needed a place to share my growing knowledge (and questions) with other Charlotte moms. And that's how Charlotte Smarty Pants was born. But that's not all, not by a long shot. I'm also a die-hard Florida Gator, social diva (I have been called ‘somewhat of a legend in Charlotte' by Jen B), am obsessed with Guitar Hero (cue the air guitar solo now), married to my wonderful high school sweetheart, Randy, and thank God every single day that Chick-Fil-A invented the chicken sandwich (and their unsweet tea – 4 lemons please, no more, no less).
Ashley H.
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood x2
Married/Husband: 4 years, Marcus
Kids: 2 (girl/boy twins)
Lived here since: Birth (born and raised Charlottean)
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-with-twins
Unique Smarty Perspective:
Hi. Hi. I'm Ash. I'm Ash. And. And. I. I. See. See. Double. Double. All. All. Day. Day. Long. Long. (Ok, I'm going to stop that right about now). It's true, I have 1-year-old girl/boy twins, Fallon & Cannon. They are my life, and I feel blessed to have them (as well as my hubby Marcus, of course). In my former life I was a Media Buyer for advertising agencies in Chicago and Charlotte and had to always think about the numbers and make every dollar count. And, as you can imagine, that's helped immensely in my new day-to-day. I graduated from Appalachian State, love Perez Hilton's juicy gossip, am an avid runner, have a secret love affair for mafia movies and all things caramel, am obsessed with chapstick, love to read and get out on the water as much as possible, always choose comfort (think granny panties, yoga pants, flip flops), get great enjoyment out of a good bargain and giving to others, love to travel, am a huge animal lover with a special place in my heart for horses, get depressed when the NFL season ends, and am blessed beyond belief with incredible family & friends. And that's just for starters.
Courtenay W.
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood and Events Guru
Married/Husband: 9 1/2 years, Robert
Kids: 3 (1 boy, 2 girls)
Lived here since: 1990
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-with-three-kids
Unique Smarty Perspective:
What's the capital of Zimbabwe? Who was the 13th President? How many ounces are in a cup? Ooooh, Oooooh – I know! See, I'm known to some of my friends as ‘Fast Fact' for my ability to store random answers on random subjects. And hey, that comes in handy with three kids -- Trey (8), Sarah Chason (4 1/2), and Anna (2) -- who ask random questions on random subjects. I'm also pretty tuned in to what's going on in Charlotte. That means if there's a mommy event you need to know about, you can bet I'll let you know. Here are some random facts about me: I went to Queens U, used to be in marketing for a law firm and College Admissions, can finish an entire book in a day, drive a minivan, am time challenged (what mom isn't?), love sports (football and basketball in particular), volunteer with my children's schools, have a cat (Buttons) and two frogs (Rock and Roll). Any questions? I probably have the answers.
Dana D.
Smarty Specialty: Green Queen
Married/Husband: 5 years, Reid
Kids: 2 (boy/boy twins)
Lived here since: 2005
Occupation: Stay-at-home-eco-friendly-mom
Unique Smarty perspective:
There is only one thing I love more than my hubby (Reid), twins (Austin and Maddox) and Golden Retriever (Riley). And that's the environment. Wait, wait. I'm not gonna get all Al Gore on you. It's just that I've always loved being outdoors (hiking, camping, traveling, etc) and have learned that we can all make a difference in our daily lives by being eco-friendly. I'm into using cloth diapers, but if that's not your thing here's a quick tip: If we all switched out chlorine bleach for chlorine free bleach, we could help prevent about 11 million pounds of chlorine from going into the environment. See, it's not that hard. I'm also a sucker for anything with peanut butter in it, want to open an art gallery someday on the California Coast (or Charleston or Savannah), am a former college volleyball player, last worked in cancer research, and love me some Anthropologie.
Jenny D.
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood and Ad Guru
Married/Husband: Brent
Kids: 2 (both girls)
Lived here since: Forever (moved here when I was 5)
Occupation: Working mom in Advertising
Unique Smarty perspective:
I'm competitive. Really competitive. Actually, I'm crazy competitive and do not like to lose. Just ask my high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Brent (he has actually banned me from playing board games with our friends because I've been known to get, um, heated). Anyway, it's that drive that makes me run a hundred miles an hour, juggling eight things at once, all day, every day (yet somehow I figure out how to get it all done) in search of that perfect work/life balance. I have two wonderful girls, Zoe (3) and Annie (10 months), a great job in advertising for the past 12 years and a to-do list 3 miles long. But I'll get it done. Oh, I'm also a member of the Target cult (Best. Store. Ever.), love redecorating my house (Brent never notices, but Zoe does), know more about the NFL than most men and love playing golf with my husband (must beat Brent, must beat Brent). Gotta run…
Tracy S.
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood and Expert Working Mom
Married/Husband: 7 years, Matt
Kids: 1 boy and 1 girl
Lived here since: 1994
Occupation: Marketing Manager at ‘the Bank'
Unique Smarty Perspective:
I am very, very organized (bring on the charts and graphs), but I'm also the Queen of clutter. Stuff here, stuff there, stuff everywhere. But guess what, I know exactly where everything is. And that's pretty much how it has to be when you're juggling 2 full time jobs (marketing manager past 11 years/mommy). Want to know more? Glad you asked: I'm an Ohio native, met my husband here at a bar (Vinnie's), love hanging with my son Jake (4 years old) and daughter Ryanne (newborn), and every once in awhile enjoy a 3-way with Ben and Jerry every night, am addicted to reality TV (Top Chef, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Amazing Race, AI and The Bachelor), love to read trash mags and intellectual novels, cheer for the Panthers every chance I get and can barely can keep my eyes open as I type this.
