Photo Credit: Vince Trupsin
Spring happens to be a favorite season for 33% of Americans according to a Rasmussen report and there’s so many reasons why, the beautiful weather and blooming flowers are just a couple of things that come to mind, but there’s so much more to be enthusiastic about. This season we sought the help of Real Housewives of Dallas star Stephanie Hollman to break down spring essentials, from makeup advice, fashion tips and DIY craft ideas, as we navigate the next 3 months of the year. We spoke with the lovely philanthropist, fitness enthusiast, and RHOD regular last year and were excited that she agreed to be our go-to expert on all things spring. She started off by telling us about some of her favorite family spring activities. “We love to go on bike rides, take the boys to Klyde Warren park to play and eat at the food trucks, head to the Dallas zoo, and have cookouts with close friends and neighbors,” Hollman tells Tinseltown Mom.
Hollman and her husband Travis, a prominent Dallas businessman, donate their time and resources to many charitable causes, but with such busy schedules family time seems to be high on their list of priorities. Sharing life with loved ones creates so many special memories. If you’re looking for ideas, one resourceful and creative way to bond with your kids is crafting, as it helps you spend quality time with your kids for little to no money. “My boys are obsessed with nature and love to do little arts and craft projects. We love to have the boys decorate little flower pots that display across our backyard for the season. Travis’ favorite thing is to display the boys’ artwork around the house and treasure their little creations.”
We understand the time commitment involved with crafting with children that’s why we’ve elicited an easy craft idea from Hollman that the entire family can enjoy. “My boys’ favorite crafts are the ones they can eat! This year I have a special little sweet treat up my sleeve that I am so excited to make with them. …they are little bunny race cars. You take a bite-size snickers bar, glue on two yellow M&M’s with white frosting, add two wheels on both sides of the ‘car’ with white frosting as well, take a Peep, cut the little guy in half and stick him in his seat with some more white frosting, then add another M&M for a steering wheel and enjoy your little Bunny Racer!”
In many households, family activities are typically on the agenda as Springtime treasures but we can’t forget about the chic fashions, something Hollman, in our opinion, is an expert on. “I am addicted to finding new trendy fashion and beauty products. I focus on highlighting things that I love and products that I come across that I use in my everyday life. I love light neutral colors, blues, pinks, anything soft and feminine. For me, fashion is just fun!” The fashionable mom also highlights some of her traditional faves, “I always follow the rule to invest in timeless pieces and save on trendy items. Right now I am loving anything with ruffles, bright vibrant colors and am obsessed with statement stripes, especially when I can find them for under $100. Bags and shoes, I have found, have been the best investment pieces for me, but that can be different for everyone.”
Photo by: Michael Larsen/Bravo
Style is definitely a hot topic for spring but we can’t talk fashion without including makeup trends in the exchange. “I love spring because you can add a pop of color to your makeup, go a little brighter and fresher. I always try to step a little further out of my comfort zone and try a new color that I haven’t used before and play with new looks.” And for the minimalist makeup-wearing mom? “Dot on a little bit of concealer to even out skin and throw on fresh blush, some lip gloss and big pair of shades and you’re good to go,” Hollman adds.
Another tradition that Hollman and her family enjoy is Easter. “We always spend Easter in Palm Desert with my husband’s family. We wake up early in the morning and prepare Easter baskets for the children from the Easter bunny, write letters to all of them from the Easter bunny, have a big homemade breakfast and then cheer the kids on while they hunt for eggs.”
Being that this hands-on mom is also a beauty and style guru we wondered if her RHOD co-stars seek advice from her. “Brandi, Cary and I share beauty tips and tricks all the time. I am also dying to raid Cary’s closet… Mark buys her the best clothes…I need him to drop a hint or two to Travis!”
So what’s on the horizon for this Dallas Mom of two? “I am working on taking more naps and dating my husband more at the moment.”
Be sure to check out Hollman’s successful lifestyle blog, STEPHANIEHOLLMAN.COM, for beauty secrets, fashion trends, hot product reviews and easy tutorials.