Smarty Mom: Stephanie Blanton

Witty, chic, and outgoing are just a few words that describe Stephanie Blanton.

If she wasn’t so darn adorable, I’d simply hate her! But, I can’t. Stephanie Blanton is lovely and insanely talented. I came upon this “mom bomb” at a cocktail party she hosted for newcomers to our neighborhood. After a few sips she confessed to being a Smarty reader (she just kept getting better and better!). Between pours she also confessed that she wanted to try her hand out in blogging! We exchanged email addresses and off I went on home thinking I may never get a blog from her, but I sure hope I do!!!

The next morning I logged onto my Mac and laughed until I cried. In true Stephanie style, she delivered. The blog she submitted was genius!!!! The charm and humor was oozing from the screen. My new “pint-sized” friend was a hidden gem!!! The blog, “Satisfied in the City” will be running soon. It is a brilliant take on “Sex in the City”…mommy style. Honestly, it is by far my favorite blog of 2011.

Smarties, it is with great pride that I introduce you to Stephanie Blanton. In the upcoming weeks we will be featuring her hilarious blogs and I, for one, can’t wait!

Get ready for some sassy, sexy, and insightful words!!!

Smarty Mom Stats
Mom of: Walker (almost 5), Emmie (1.5)
Married to: Russ for 11 years
Years in Charlotte: 16

How do you balance a full-time job and your two precious kiddies?
Not very well. I guess I’m probably very similar to most of you in that my days consist of too much over-scheduling…perpetually running 5 minutes behind and hurrying my children along (“Don’t dawdle!” Yes, I really have said that more than once to my 4-year-old)…plagued by guilt over never doing enough for anyone and everyone, especially my most important bosses (Walker & Emmie). There is simply not enough time, and most days I catch myself just going through the motions, losing sight of the big picture. “Me-time” is stealing away for an episode of ‘The Real Housewives’ (I’m hopelessly addicted to this brain candy and not embarrassed to admit it), or 5 minutes of “alone time” before bed that I share with my Clarisonic® Face Brush. Sometimes the simple things in life (like really clean pores) can wash away all the woes of the day (not to mention, it’s touted as “Beauty’s Best Kept Secret” so I had to invest, right??). Most days I simply just get by as best I can…I am and probably always will be forever in need of a pedicure (my toenails would horrify a wild animal), a second cup of coffee, and 1 more hour of sleep. Oh, let’s not forget – ALWAYS on the perpetual quest to lose those last 10 “baby pounds” (when the real victory is just managing to not GAIN more!).

Your childhood dream was to be a sketch actor on Saturday Night Live!? Is that where you get your wicked sense of humor?!
You are definitely “over-selling” me!☺ But that’s very kind. I come by my humor naturally, passed onto me by my mother. She’s the wittiest person in any given room and she loves to make people laugh. She’s far more intelligent and well-read than I am, but I do share her sense of humor. I guess my Dad gave me the “corporate” gene and my mom gave me the “silly” gene to balance it out!

Are your kiddies a riot?
My husband does not possess an adequate appreciation for my sense of humor, and he thinks that the 3 of us combined (the children and me) are the loudest people he knows.☺ Our 4-year-old, Walker, is a mini-version of me. It’s a little scary actually. He’s even a dead ringer for me at that age (although his Bieber shaggy ‘do is far more stylish than the “Dorothy Hammill” I wore in the 70’s). I was a ham from a very young age. For instance, I dressed up as “Larry” (as in The Three Stooges) for my pre-school Halloween party. True story. While all the other girls were princesses, I was profiling in a curly red wig and my father’s tie. I have the picture on our fridge to prove it! Walker is the same way – his pre-school teachers call him “Steve Carell.” Oh, a mother can only hope that perhaps one day he will live out the dream I abandoned!☺

How did you go from wanting to be a comedian to working in banking?
I wish I knew the answer! I’ve often asked myself that very same thing. I was very into drama until I hit high school, when I suppose I decided that acting was no longer cool (I had just outgrown the very awkward stage and was trying to transform myself into one of the “popular” girls). Well shame on me – I graduated from tiny Ravenscroft School in Raleigh where two of my school mates (who did maintain their acting in high school) are now starring in hit TV shows (Michael C. Hall – Six Feet Under and Dexter and Emily Proctor – West Wing and CSI Miami) proving that the small-town kid can very feasibly make it to the big time.

What made you want to blog for Smarty Pants and where did you get the ideas for your sassy topics?
Because I work in banking, I feel like my creative side is somewhat “stunted.” I love to read and write and have really enjoyed the outlet of reading the Smarty blog as a way of relating to other moms. When I met Krista, I was taken with how outgoing and funny she was…perhaps it was serendipity that we found ourselves talking about the blog, so I figured why not give it a shot?

You are a volunteer for the Crossroads Charlotte Program, part of the YWCA. First, how do you find time to work, be a mom, AND give back?! Second, what is the program and how can other Smarties get involved?
My company is hugely supportive of giving back to our communities. I became involved in this particular program through some coworkers. Collectively we volunteer every week tutoring and just giving general guidance and attention to at-risk elementary students in their after-school program. The YWCA of Central Carolinas is an amazing organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and children. If you are not familiar with their programs, please visit their site today!

What feels better – a good cry, or a good laugh?
I’m not sure…most days I do both!!!

You have done a ton of traveling, what is your favorite “spot in this world”?
That’s a hard one. I was fortunate to travel to Europe a few times (pre-motherhood, of course), so I have a love for the South of France and Italian countryside — how could you not? But I do believe that some of the most beautiful places on earth are right here in the U.S. – my particular fav being the Pacific coast (and Clemson’s “Death Valley” on football Saturdays!). But one of my most treasured spots in the world is sitting in a beach chair (with a cold Mexican beer) at Isle of Palms, SC.

Best book you’ve read lately?
I joined a book club a couple of years ago and it’s been the BEST way to force me to read more than just the 10 minute stint each night before the Melatonin kicks in. Last week we finished Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (the author of Seabiscuit)…a NY Times best-seller, non-fiction about WWII American POWs in Japan. I must confess that if it weren’t for the brilliant women in my book club, I wouldn’t have taken on this 400+ pager, but I’ve found a new love for non-fiction and historical fiction. It was also so timely for me to read this book and learn about Japan with the country being devastated by the tsunami. I’m glad I have more of an understanding and appreciation for Japan and its history.
PS: I just broke down and purchased my first pair of reading glasses. How is it that I’m 38 and already experiencing the “40 pull-back” (you know—where you have to hold the book at arm’s length to read it)?!

Mini-van or SUV?
Neither. I am one of the last remaining Volvo wagon moms!

I could not live without my . . .
Bare Escentuals Buxom – Big & Healthy Lip Polish. LOVE it! It tingles (as it’s supposed to plump your lips) but really it just helps keep me more alert most days.☺ (And I also couldn’t live without my SATURDAYS! Doesn’t the world just seem like a happier place on Saturdays?!)

Best place to eat out with the whole family?
Being a Cotswold-ian (did I just coin that phrase?), I’ve gotta say Eddie’s Place. It’s right across the street from our ‘hood, child-friendly, good food and reasonable prices. We love how it really has a neighborhood vibe, with patrons aging from wee ones in baby carriers to seniors with walkers (maybe this is because we eat at 5:30pm??).

Thanks, Stephanie, for sharing your Saturday with us! Stay tuned for more from Stephanie! Do you have a Smarty Mom or Dad or Child to nominate? We’d love to hear from you – email us anytime.

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