Smarty Mom: Janelle Nash

I met Janelle 12 years ago when we both worked in the same department at the bank formerly known as First Union. Over the years, we have experienced a lot of “firsts” together…
– played golf as first time golfers in a work golf league for a few seasons (the only two women)
– ran our first (and second) half marathons together
– ran our first Charleston Bridge Run on the “old bridge” together

We have been bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and traveled near and far to Isle of Palms (IOP), Atlanta, camping in Black Mountain, San Francisco and Halifax, Nova Scotia. We love to reminisce about the glory days and our “formerly hot lives” and all of the places we frequented “to see and be seen.” (these places are either closed or not cool anymore). We are both mothers of two, so now we trade tips and toys and share the rants and joys of becoming in charge of someone other than yourself.

I have some favorite Janelle factoids such as she was on her college rifle team at West Virginia University and competed in the Olympic Trials in shooting for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. By the way, WVU is the top ranked rifle team in the country! Another tidbit is that in her formerly hot life, she would have been president of the Britney Spears Fan Club. No one is happier than Janelle that Brit Brit got it together to make her comeback.

Janelle has a quick wit and you are guaranteed a laugh when you are around her. She has done some guest blogging for Charlotte Smarty Pants and has served up these gems.

The New Way to Buy Diapers
Body Jail
What Epidural?

Janelle’s Smarty Mom Quick Facts:
Married to: Tom for 6 years
Mom of: Blake (almost 3 years old), Quinn (4 months old)
Occupation: Marketing Manager at Viewpointe
Original home town: Fort Wayne, Indiana
College: West Virginia University
Years in Charlotte: 15

What advice would you give your 20-something-year-old self?
Step away from the blue-black hair dye and Doc Martens.

What is your dream job?
Talk show host and author of funny books – essentially, Chelsea Handler’s life.

Biggest celebrity crush?
This is a tough one; my old standbys seem to have let themselves go in recent months. Chace Crawford, Jared Leto and Josh Duhamel are still on my list.

Favorite TV show?
I was recently obsessed with Friday Night Lights and rented all 5 seasons from Netflix.

Favorite place to score kids clothes and shoes?
99% of the children’s clothes in my house come from my mom, sister, mother in law and hand me downs from friends. On the rare occasion I shop, I typically buy from Gap kids and Stride Rite.

Favorite place to take the whole fam to dinner?
Going to dinner with a toddler isn’t so much fun these days, so it’s a rare occasion. Brixx or Qdoba are our go-to places.

Best book you’ve read lately?
US Weekly

Favorite movie?
Crossroads or Spice World (kidding… although I have sadly seen both)

Funniest thing Blake has ever said to you?
When Quinn was born, Blake saw her all swaddled up, looked at me totally seriously and said “Does she have any arms?”

Best birthday party you’ve attended/hosted?
We’ve been to a few that have been held at parks, which I think are great. Simple, outdoors and inexpensive.

Favorite date night spot?
We don’t really have a favorite place, but we love to eat at the bar somewhere, have a couple of drinks and play Golden Tee or video trivia.

Minivan or suv?
Neither. I am rocking the Volvo XC70 station wagon these days. I miss my Jeep!

Favorite phone app?
Pandora or Slacker Radio – I’m so tired of the music on my iPhone. My daughter loves Monkey Preschool Lunchbox, a preschool learning app.

Favorite Charlotte Smarty Pants blog?
Love the Christmas gift guides because it makes it easier for me to pick presents for my nieces and nephews.
0-2 years
2-4 years
5-9 years
Tweens and Teens

I could not live without my…
Husband’s sarcastic sense of humor. He can make me laugh even when I’m in a terrible mood.