Mom in the City

Once again, I can't think of two more things to make 7 (?!)... 

1. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara: My husband and two sons have long, beautiful lashes.  I don't.  Such is life.  Every few months, I try a new mascara.  This is my current favorite.  It actually makes my lashes look full (with no yucky clumps). 

2. Carnival Games by Global Star:  I like this Wii game that my son received for his birthday.  Of course he beats me at many of the games (he has incredible hand-eye coordination!).  I don't take it personally though -- he beats most visiting adults!  The only thing that I don't like about this software is that you can't choose a black or brown character to represent you like with the other Wii games.  They need to change that.  Other than that, it's really fun.  (Be forewarned that the carnival game "hosts" talk a lot of trash when you miss/don't win at games.)

3. Bloglines.com: Now, in addition to reading parenting/family magazines and newspapers, I'm really into reading blogs.  There are so many great blogs out there that I don't have the time/energy/inclination to visit each of them.  This free service is great.  You just put in the blogs/news sites/etc. urls that you like and they give you a brief synopsis of current posts.  That way, I can skim and see what I really want to read.  I love technology!

4. Tabletops Unlimited Swirl Multicolor Pattern:  When we were at the Jersey Shore, the place that we stayed had this tableware.  It's cute and inexpensive.  I found it online at Replacement Ltd.

5. Zappos.com: My four year old son has wide feet (blame me, not his dad).  So, when Stride Rite doesn't have any cute shoes for the season in his size (11W), I find myself in a bind.  I wasn't having much luck online until I hit shoe pay dirt at Zappos.  They had multiple pairs of cute athletic shoes in his size (he, my husband and I all had different favorites - we went with my husband's pick).  Of course, after making my pick I did a google search for "zappos coupons".  There are none - ever.  They don't charge for shipping though, so that (somewhat) makes up for that. 

Posted by kdc521 at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I won't be doing a Mother's Day Gift Guide (there are just too many types of moms who like such a wide variety of things!) but I will highlight cute/unique/fun gift ideas as I come across them.

Here's one that I really like (especially if the mom lives in the NYC area):

FameSlot will help to make May 11th memorable for moms by allowing you to send a photo of mom along with a short message to be shown on the giant Reuters screens at Times Square. (Mom's photo and your message will appear for at least 5 seconds.)

(On a side note, if you type "fameslot discount" into Google before purchasing this gift, you will find a couple of sites offering $5 to $15 discount codes.)

Posted by kdc521 at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know that I usually do seven favorite things, but I couldn't come up with two more (?!)  So, here's my top five. 

1. Massages:  Massages are my "thing" for 2008 (as in I'm going to have one at least once every 3 months).  I had a really great hour-long deep tissue massage at Graceful Services.  I felt so fluid and relaxed immediately afterwards.  The next day, I felt a little sore (which is supposedly normal).  Then, I came down with the flu.  So, I'm not sure if the rest of the body aches were from the massage, the flu or a combination of both.  Hopefully, I won't be catching the flu again this year, so I'll have a better judgment after my next massage!

2. PedEgg™: My family members (this time it was my mom) keep giving me these products that they see on television.  I love this one though. It's this egg-shaped foot file that collects the skin shavings (which is simultaneously kind of gross/kind of fascinating).  In any event, this file really works.  I just may be able to wear some of those cute open-heeled shoes for the spring/summer after all!   

3. Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Pink Chocolate;  I've never really thought about Clinique's makeup.  I've always associated them with skincare.  However, when I was at the Macy's in VA with my mom (that doesn't have either MAC or Bobbi Brown), I tried out their lipsticks.  I was looking for a pink shade for the spring and I fell in love with their pink chocolate.  (Of course my mom takes the credit for picking it out...)

4. Forever21: This is my new, favorite place for cute, inexpensive trendy spring dresses that I only plan on wearing once or twice. (My rationale: If I don't spend a lot, I won't really care if I get kid "schmuck" all over me.)  I'll save my money to spend on timeless, classic pieces.

5. Live Chat: Several online merchants that I've been dealing with (from Clairol to Corbis) use this technology. Basically you talk with an online customer service person by typing your questions and answers back and forth.  I love it.  I'm not a huge phone person (I never know when one of the kids will decide to use this time to practice their vocal "skills"), but I love getting an immediate answer.  This is the best of both worlds!

Posted by kdc521 at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm in a home cleaning/ rejuvenation mood, now that spring is around the corner.  My favorite color for the spring is yellow.  Following are seven home items that I have gotten or want to get for the spring season:

1. Swivel Sweeper: I don't normally order things from tv.  However, I'm often pleasantly surprised when people gift me with such items.  One of the Christmas gifts that we received from my husband's aunt was the Swivel Sweeper. We love it!  It's a quick and easy way to clean the floors and the 360 degree swivel head helps to get in corners and such.  My sons think that it's a game when I turn it on and like to grab/ "catch" the sweeper (they're such funny, weird kids sometimes!).  After I finish with it, my oldest son takes "his turn".   

2, Floral pillow covers: I'm a flower and plant killer.  Even when I diligently follow the florist's advice, I kill them.  Spring doesn't seem like spring without flowers though.  I considered fake ones but that just feels so wrong to me.  So, I found a floral pattern that both my husband and I could agree on (the yellow one) at Pottery Barn.

3. Textured Throws: I love throws.  For the spring, I want a yellow one.  No matter what time of the year it is, I like having a throw on the edge of the couch to cuddle up under by myself or with the guys in my life.  Of course, with little kids around, throws take on multiple personalities (i.e. ghost covers, caves, etc.)!

4. Classic Stripe Shower Curtains: It's something nice, clean and crisp about the right striped shower curtain.  For some reason, it reminds me of spring/summer on the beach.  Personally, I like green and white stripes because my bathroom tile is green and white.

5. Seashells in a Vase: I'm going to take a chance and place this in my bathroom.  I'll just have to be especially watchful of little hands not knocking over the glass!

The last 2 picks are my husband's practical home favorites from our recent shopping trip to Wal-Mart.  (We went to use a Christmas gift card.  That store is so huge that it's overwhelming to me!)

6. Rubbermaid Food Storage Containers: My husband has a thing for Tupperware/Tupperware like products.  We had a whole set but over the years, the pieces had been loaned out for various reasons and people forgot to return the pieces.  So, my husband picked out a whole new set and has warned me not to give anyone, anything in them.  (He says that I should keep the "good" Chinese food containers to give food to people.  That way, he won't care if we don't get it back.)  He does have a point.  I'll try to keep this set.  We'll see.

7. Brita Pitcher: Within the last year, my husband broke one Brita.  Then, I broke the next one.  Instead of replacing filters, we seem to be replacing the pitcher every few months (?!)  However, this is one of only a few home things that my dear husband gets excited about.  Also, water is the drink in our home.  (This is one of the best habits that I've picked up from being married.)

Posted by kdc521 at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Instead of highlighting products, I'm focusing on events that I'm looking forward to in February.

1. Library Lovers Month: I love books.  I love free books.  I love libraries.

2. Black History Month: I'm Black.  I love learning about my history year-round.  I love when the rest of the country joins in.  (Don't miss the network premiere of A Raisin in the Sun on 2/25.)

3. Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year (2/7):  My older son is already talking about celebrating Chinese New Year (The Year of the Rat?!).  I'm not quite sure if it's because he's so cultured by way of growing up in NYC OR if it's because that's the day the new Nick Jr. show Ni Hao, Kai-Lan  (I saw a preview - it's a really cute show!) is premiering.  I suspect that it is the latter.

4. Random Acts of Kindness Week (2/12 - 2/18): “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” -Seneca

5. National Pancake Day (2/12): Celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP by receiving a free stack of pancakes.  In exchange, they ask that customers consider donating to the Children’s Miracle Network.

6. Valentine's Day (2/14): Personally, I'm especially looking forward to going away to a retreat for married couples this year.  I have compiled a list of local Valentine's Day events here.

and MOST IMPORTANTLY...

7. ***My baby Sean's FIRST Birthday on 2/22 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SEAN-Y***

Posted by kdc521 at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Nintendo Wii: I haven't been a video game person since Pac-man originally came out (wow, time is flying!).  Anyway, I gave this system to my husband for his birthday in November.  It is so much fun!  It comes with a sports bundle (golf, boxing, baseball, bowling) which I find to be a great workout on a cold, wintery day.  What's humbling is that my three year old has beat me in boxing by knocking me out the last two times that we played.  (I blame it on him being left-handed - I never see my demise coming!)

2.JJ COLE's bundleme:  I only hear raves about this product, including from a local mom at a library story hour.  I'm not a big stroller user, but I would definitely get this if they made them for front carriers like the Bjorn.  They are so much more attractive than what is currently on the market.

3. Ann Taylor Loft:  Back in my corporate days, I was an Ann Taylor woman.  Now, I lean more towards Ann Taylor Loft.  They offer a pretty nice selection of clothes at reasonable prices.  (Their shoe selection isn't great, but there are plenty of other shoe stores.)  Be sure to sign up for their email list, so that you can get discounts/sale notices in your Inbox.  Another good tip when doing your online shopping there is to type "Ann Taylor Loft coupon" in your google search engine.  There are usually percent off and/or free shipping coupons available.

4. PBS KIDS: I love that many of their shows are educational.  The show of the moment in our home is SUPER WHY!.  I like that it uses classic books to teach simple lessons.  (I also like that they have a multicultural cast, including a Black princess.)

5. Storybook Escapades: A new thing that I have started doing with my oldest son (inspired by SUPER WHY! and Kids Off the Couch ) is doing activities that relate to the books that we read.  I think that I enjoy our little "escapades" as much as (if not more than!) he does.  Recently, after reading Pinkalicious, we baked strawberry/pink cupcakes together (in the story, the little girl eats so many pink cupcakes that she turns pink).  It was so cute...my son kept saying, "I'm going to eat ALL of the cupcakes so that I can turn pink and then I'm going to jump out and say Pink-a-boo!".  It was a great bonding time.

6. Christmas in the City: As a teacher, my husband does not  work the week of Christmas.  We considered going away, but frankly, I hate the hassle of traveling during the holidays.  Besides, in my opinion, there's no place that I'd rather be for Christmas than NYC.  So we're going to "vacation in the city".  In other words, we're going to do several of the "touristy" Christmas things that people travel from all over the world to do.  If you're looking for Christmas activities, I have compiled a list here.

7. Huggable Hangers: I had never heard about these hangers before (even though they are Home Shopping Network's #1 selling product -- I don't watch HSN on a regular basis).  Then, I received a gift package of them.  They are great!  They are velvet covered (so clothes don't slip off) and thin (in order to maximize closet space).  They are also sturdy (so you don't have to worry about your clothes ending up on the floor) and cute (the ones that I received were black with chrome hooks).  Both my husband and my aunt-in-law liked the hangers so much that I gave some away.  Now, I have to get more for myself! 

Posted by kdc521 at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Fisher-Price Smart Cycle Physical Learning Arcade System: Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years, this is one of the TOP pre-school holiday toys of the year (so shop early!).  Once the stationary bike is connected to your tv, your child must pedal and steer to keep playing the arcade games that they will be viewing on your TV screen.  Kids across the board have been enjoying all 3 modes of play - Explore/Encounter, Arcade Games and Race Mode.  It’s a little pricey (but at least your kid won’t be a video zombie!).
APPROX. RETAIL: $100.00

2. A World of LEGO® Mosaic:  Recommended for ages 4+, this set (with 598 pieces) will provide your kid with hours of artistic fun.  (I like practically all of the LEGO products!)  With this set, kids can build 2D and 3D models.  It also includes materials for kids to hang their “masterpieces”.   
APPROX. RETAIL: $ 19.99

3. Remo Kids Floor Tom: Recommended for ages 3+, I like the compact size (7.5" high / 10" diameter) of this drum and that it can be played with kids’ hands, mallets (it comes with 2) or sticks. 
APPROX. RETAIL: $44.00 

4. Arts and Crafts Supplies: My favorite picks of the season are my personal favorite, the Alex Toys Giant Art Jar (suitable for ages 3+) which comes stocked full of a variety of craft supplies.  I also like the PLAY-DOH Super Craft Caddy (also suitable for ages 3+) which will provide hours of squishy fun.
Art Jar APPROX. RETAIL: $24.99
PLAY-DOH APPROX. RETAIL: $19.99
 

5. Board Games and Puzzles: Both are great ways to spend time together as a family.  Favorite games include Hasbro's classics games CANDY LAND, CHUTES AND LADDERS, and HI HO! CHERRY-O (all recommended for ages 3+).   As for puzzles, I really love Cranium’s (such a smart company!) Puzzles Plus® Talk ’n Tracks™: Monkey Safari and Seal Splash (both recommended for ages 3+) where kids follow a monkey through the jungle, and hear tigers roar — or listen to dolphins squeak and swim with a seal across the sea. The puzzle pieces can be assembled in any way that your kid likes in order to create a jungle or ocean scene. The animals move across the grooved tracks of the puzzle and there are great sound effects.
Hasbro Games Approx. Retail: $8.99
Cranium Puzzles Approx. Retail: $12.99

Posted by kdc521 at 08:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’m so excited to share our first Holiday Toy Guide.  I compiled it based on the following:  things that my kids like; things that I see other kids like (at playdates, group events, etc.); new toys that I’ve had sent to me from a variety of toy companies (it’s been like Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa around my house…it has been interesting explaining to my oldest son that he can’t keep everything); other mommy recommendations and  research (by now, you all know that I’m an information junkie – if different editorial teams from 3+ parenting magazines considered a toy “tops”, I looked into it). 

You will find 7 Favorite Gifts for three groups: Infants (birth to 18 months); Toddlers (18 months to 3 years) and Pre-Schoolers (3 years to 5 years).  In addition, the number one gift item that I suggest across the board is one of my favorite things - BOOKS!  You can go with the classics, The New York Times Bestsellers or purchase books based on the kid's areas of interest -- there's a book for every kid!

Be sure to leave comments on our blog regarding your favorite items…you just may win it!

Posted by kdc521 at 08:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Stacks & Stacks: When we were at the Long Island cottage in September, my husband commented on two things that were in the cottage that he "wished" we had at home...a mail and key holder by the front door and a hanging towel holder in the bathroom.  Instead of the hanging towel holder (his point was that people were coming out of the bathroom with dripping hands even when I put out hand towels), I just got a simple, cute paper towel holder for the bathroom.  That should take away any confusion.  I found both at this great site.

2. Huggies Extra Sensitive Wash: My oldest son has very sensitive skin, so we've always had to buy special products for his skin (read: more costly).  I was pleasantly surprised to discover this reasonably priced (around $5), fragrance-free body wash that does not irritate his skin.  (It's also safe for babies and kids with eczema.)

3. Single-item parting gifts at birthday parties: I love, love, love this idea because (being the clutter-phobe that I am) I'm not a big fan of a lot of little tchotchkes that are normally found in birthday party goody-bags. I went to two birthday parties this month where the moms gave single item gifts.  One, had an assortment of books that she let the kids choose from on the way out. It was really cute, because it had a picture of the birthday boy as part of the bookplate. (An easy way to make bookplate stickers at home is to use a photo of your child with a few typed words and print it out on labels.)  The other had an assortment of puzzles that she let the kids choose from.  Since my son loves both books and puzzles, he was happy too.  This is one idea that I'll be borrowing in the future. (Except for my son's next b-day party...he has his heart set on Chuck-E-Cheese, so attendees will be getting their goody bags of toys and candy aka tchotchkes - I apologize in advance.)

4. More variety in term life insurance policies:  I'm not a financial planner.  I just "play" one as a mom.  Seriously though, every mom should be knowledgeable about the basics of finances.  I really like that there are new options in term life insurance (the best type of insurance in my - and Suze Orman's - opinion).  Met Life has a new "Term Life & Disability Package" which combines the two types of insurance that families need the most.  Prudential Financial, Inc. also recently introduced a new term life insurance policy that includes a money back guarantee, PruLife Return of Premium (ROP) Term, which guarantees the return of all premiums paid if the insured person lives past the end of the term.
 
5. "My First Daily Planner" Wall Hanging by Leaps and Bounds Kids: I have been looking for a kid's wall calendar to give my son a visual of the days of the week, the months, etc.  I found this and so much more in this wall hanging.  It also has space for the day's weather, the season, the activities of the day and there's even a space for how the kid is feeling.

6. It was love at first sight when I saw Staub’s blue, round teapot, but at $120 (coupled with the fact that I already have a perfectly good teapot) it's going to have to wait until a special occassion ... perhaps Christmas.  If my husband is looking, he can find it at Sur la Table.

7. I want a BlackBerry, specifically I want the  BlackBerry 8830.  It includes email, text and instant messaging, a personal organizer, a web browser, GPS and it's cute.  I won't get one though because I truly think that it would hurt my relationship with my husband and kids.  (I can easily get obsessed with email.  At least with the computer, I have to turn it off at times.  As such, a BlackBerry would not be a good thing for an obsessive person like me.) It's still one of my favorite things though. 

Posted by kdc521 at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Membership to the Children's Museum of Manhattan (http://www.cmom.org/): In theory this is one of my favorite things.  I recently purchased a membership as a pre-preschool for my oldest son.  (He's one of those March birthdays, so he doesn't meet the 3 year, 9 months pre-k guidelines.)  They have a bunch of great activities including circle times, arts and crafts, etc.  I would be remiss though if I didn't tell you the two things that bug me about this museum...
a. They don't allow food in the museum nor do they have an eating area.  Every mom (that I have spoken to about this) agree that this rule is insane.  Many moms (and I won't name names!) break this rule and feed their kids in a quiet corner anyway. 
b. The museum can be super crowded on days when the weather isn't nice outside.  It can be somewhat claustrophobic.  On one such super-crowded day, I saw a little kid with a runny nose wiping his nose and touching the various toys.  I tried to get to my son with the almighty wipes after he played in that same area, but it was too late.  Of course, both of my sons got sick for a week afterwards.  That was the day we got our membership.  I briefly considered asking for a refund, but I'm glad that I didn't ...overall it really is a great place and I'm sure that it will become one of my favorite things.

2. City Threads (http://www.citythreads.com/) Winged Guitar Double Layer Tee - Navy: I don't usually get excited about kids clothes (in part, because they grow out of them so quickly or maybe it's just because little boy clothes aren't as cute/don't have as much variety as little girl clothes).  However, there are exceptions, like this tee.  My oldest son has it.  It's too cute!  As soon as the tee came in the mail, Michael opened it and declared it his "new favorite shirt".  When he puts it on, he says, "this is my rocker shirt", runs to get his toy guitar and puts on a rock show.  (Where did he get that?!)  In any event, the tee is not inexpensive (it starts at $48.50) but if your little one likes to rock (and you don't mind getting comments about how cool your kid's tee is from total strangers), you should get it.

3. Skip Hop (http://www.skiphop.com) Playspot: I was on the fence about buying this play area, but I decided to give it a try primarily for three reasons: 1. It was cuter than the alphabet coverings; 2. My wood floors are hard and I needed an area for my baby to start practicing his crawling; and 3. Initially, I though that I could find a better price than a $79 playspace, but after researching comparable EVA foam surfaces, I realized that this is a bargain price. Overall, I really like it and it has served its purpose.  Both sons like to play on it.  The baby is learning to crawl (although it's primarily backwards crawling at this point).  Best of all, it is a soft spot for the baby to land when he does that toppling over thing that all babies do.  The only negative (that is product-related anyway) is that the surface scratches rather easily. The other "sweet negative" is baby related.  Now that Sean (my youngest) has learned that he is mobile, he's all over the place...including off the Playspot, halfway under the sofa, etc.!  I tell you, babies find a way to scoot to where they want to get (which is usually the place we moms don't want them to be...very cute though)!

4. Brightly Colored Nail Polish: I'm usually pretty conservative when it comes to nail polish colors...red on the toes, pink on the nails.  Lately though I've been trying new colors.  I only have them used on my toenails, because bright fingernails require too much upkeep for me.  Maybe it's the after-baby effect.  After my first son was born, I lightened (highlighted) my hair.  With this son, I'm brightening my toes.  (Okay, maybe there's really not a link there.)  Anway, it's fun to experiment with a variety of shades.  Both my husband and I especially liked Huckle Buckle (a lavender shade). OPI's Russian Navy and Golden Rules! are next on my pedicure shades list.

5. Apple Muffins from TJ Bakery & Cafe (http://www.tjbakerycafe.com/): They make some of the best apple muffins that I have ever tasted.  I warn you in advance that you may get addicted once you have one.  If you try hard enough though, you might even be able to convince yourself that they're healthy (because of the apple chunks that you can see in the muffin) even though with their buttery smell and taste, you will know that they are not.  (Their cupcakes are also especially yummy.) Reserve this favorite for a special treat. 

6. Bowen's by the Bays (http://www.bowensbythebays.com/): We rented a two bedroom private cottage at this reasonably priced Hamptons resort for a few days and had an amazing time. They had tennis, a swimming pool, a kids' playground, shuffleboard, a putting green and much more.  What I really liked is that the cottage was fully furnished, including kitchen necessities which are great when you're traveling with kids.  The owner, Eileen, was very friendly and helpful.  She directed us to the best family-friendly places to eat and suggested various attractions.  (We ended up going to the Atlantis Aquarium, which was a really great pick.)  Most of all, I enjoyed the fact that we could just relax as a family.  They had a shed full of games that you could take out.  We played board games together as a family at night and it was wonderful.  Our three year old beat me and my husband at Life (how humbling - he was getting money on practically every turn!) and he had the most real estate at the end of our Monopoly game...so of course, he had a blast.  The time flew by and my oldest son cried over the fact that we had to leave.  Already he's asking, "When are we going back to The Hamptons?"  (We're asking the same question!)

7. Hire My Mom (http://www.hiremymom.com/): Since according to the  U.S. Census Bureau, "over 5.4 million mothers put their careers on hold to stay home with their children", this is a much-needed site.  It helps moms find temporary and part-time work that the moms do from their own home offices.  Of course, I'm a big fan of moms working from home, so it's great to see more businesses adapting to this movement.  (Note that membership is $99 per year or $29.95 per quarter.  I don't especially like to pay money upfront for the possibility of getting a job, but I would make an exception in this instance.)

Posted by kdc521 at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This time, I'll be focusing on my favorite September/Fall magazine issues: