Categories
beaches Travel Trends

Summer Travel – Cape Cod, Italy and More

Summer is the time of travel. As you all know I do take my yearly trip to Cape Cod for two weeks and that is always such a nice time. I also am heading to Italy again this summer! While it is very hot there in the summertime, I still enjoy my time on the islands! This time around it is Sorrento, Capri and Ischia. I cannot wait….ahhhh…the lemon gelato, pasta and Aperol Spritz…yum. If you do go to Italy, be sure to try the basil gelato and pistachio gelato as well.  Although I do hear that the latest trend is a Limoncello Spritz so must try when I arrive. A review of all the places we will visit is coming up, but here are a few photos from last year’s trip. Alla prossima!

Beautiful beaches in Ischia!
Ischia is known for its thermal spas and The Negombo Spa in Ischia is the best!
Capri
The island of Capri is magical. Just too many areas to explore so you will need more than one day!
Categories
Hotels Travel Trends

Bahamas Trip! @atlantisbahamas #traveltips Holiday Travel #HolidayTravel

Christmas is almost here!  Are you ready? Any travel plans in the near future?  Whether you are traveling near or far to visit family or spend time with friends on a vacation it can be stressful traveling during the holiday season. We just got back from the Bahamas as we were lucky enough to head there for my daughter’s gymnastics meet. There were lots of kids from all over the world and a great opportunity for all the girls at our gym. It was such a fun experience. I like how it was the week before Christmas although we did need to take the girls out of school for a few days but it was a great opportunity! Sun and warmth when it was in the teens and 2os for temperatures in Boston was a welcome relief. We got to enjoy beach activities, all the slides at Atlantis and quality family time. It was THE BEST trip. Next time we go to Atlantis I will plan ahead a bit more and bring snacks for sure as the food can be a bit pricy. Speaking of planning if you are traveling before or during the holidays here are a few tips!

1. Plan ahead – I did all my holiday shopping and wrapped the presents before I left. So right now I am relaxing and watching holiday movies! If you are headed someplace for the holiday think about sending your packages ahead of time.

2. Use the plane or car ride for lists, planning and any last minute work – My girls had to do some school work and homework and I suggested they do it on the plane so they could enjoy the time on the beach. I got some work done as well – use the transition time to your destination wisely.

3.  Limit technology if you can – It was nice to do activities without being glued to our phones. That and the Wi-Fi was spotty in places so it was forced family fun lol – no, but seriously I tried to take some photos, relax, and check the phone at night before bed. The kids were really good at taking breaks with their phones. Plus the slides at Atlantis are just crazy fun so no phones allowed! See video below.

 

Here are some photos from our Atlantis get-a-way.

A fun Atlantis Bahamas trip the week before Christmas!
A fun Atlantis Bahamas trip the week before Christmas!
My gymnast at Atlantis Bahama. s at the Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational
My gymnast at Atlantis Bahamas – at the Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational
So glad last year we got a Go Pro. It is amazing to take action photos!
So glad last year we got a Go Pro. It is amazing to take action photos!
Go Pro action photo while parasailing at Atlantis Bahamas
Go Pro action photo while parasailing at Atlantis Bahamas

 

 

 

Categories
home decor Products Trends

Home office makeover #workathome

The new year has got me fired up! I decided to make a change and clean out my home office. I have 15 plus years of files and stuff and I went through a lot and tossed a lot. It felt very freeing. However I could not stand to have my items in boxes so the painters are coming in this week and hopefully at the end of the week I will have a new, fully decorated office. Here are some of the before photos as well as some of the cool items I purchased to spruce up the space and make it a bit more modern. I never knew I could spend so much time on Pinterest!

Home office decor
Home office decor – I love gold accessories and this is a new color choice for me!
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more minimalistic look
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more sleek, clean and modern look!
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
Categories
home decor Products Trends Uncategorized

Home office makeover #workathome

The new year has got me fired up! I decided to make a change and clean out my home office. I have 15 plus years of files and stuff and I went through a lot and tossed a lot. It felt very freeing. However I could not stand to have my items in boxes so the painters are coming in this week and hopefully at the end of the week I will have a new, fully decorated office. Here are some of the before photos as well as some of the cool items I purchased to spruce up the space and make it a bit more modern. I never knew I could spend so much time on Pinterest!

Home office decor
Home office decor – I love gold accessories and this is a new color choice for me!
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more minimalistic look
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more sleek, clean and modern look!
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
Categories
home decor Products Trends

Home office makeover #workathome

The new year has got me fired up! I decided to make a change and clean out my home office. I have 15 plus years of files and stuff and I went through a lot and tossed a lot. It felt very freeing. However I could not stand to have my items in boxes so the painters are coming in this week and hopefully at the end of the week I will have a new, fully decorated office. Here are some of the before photos as well as some of the cool items I purchased to spruce up the space and make it a bit more modern. I never knew I could spend so much time on Pinterest!

Home office decor
Home office decor – I love gold accessories and this is a new color choice for me!
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more minimalistic look
My office is looking better! I cleaned out all the shelves, donated some books but I still have many books to sort through. I am hoping for a more sleek, clean and modern look!
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
My office was looking a bit messy. Over the years I have received a ton of books, products and more as you can tell from the photo.
Categories
Clothes fashions Trends

Fashion trends: My top 10 fashion musts this winter

It’s cold in Boston and even though designers and trend setters are onto spring and summer the everyday mom needs to know what to wear from now until spring!  So unto my top fashion trends for winter 2015.

1.  Fur – not real fur but faux fur. It can keep you warm and it is fun too. The fur on the runways was a bit much and in bold colors but I like a nice black or brown fur vest to layer with a turtleneck.

2.  Gold – anything in this color – use it as an accent piece and/or a scarf or sweater to brighten up your wardrobe.

3. Sportswear – my yoga friends will like this.  Get it in fleece and other fun fabrics. So now you really can go from the gym to work  in sportswear and be trendy.

4.  Khaki – think military in structured look – bingo! I have a few, fun looks in my closet right now that are warm and toasty – perfect for the weather we have been having lately  – see photo below for some ideas.

5.  Aspen chic – of course with fringe detailing and cozy knits this is perfect for the cold days ahead. If  you had to add one thing to your wardrobe this is it.

6. Shearling  – According to vogue.com, “Shearling made its comeback as this season’s must-have piece.” Trends do come and go but usually there is always one that is a must and something that you can have in your wardrobe for years. This is it. This Faux Shearling coat from my closet I have had for ages. Glad I kept it!

7. Velvet – for an evening out makes a statement. I have a pair of velvet leggings I wear during the holiday season that I love.

8. Leopard – I have always loved this trend and just picked up a leopard sweater/sweatshirty top for $12.99. If you are thinking that is too much leopard for you try leopard accessories. A nice shoe – see below- a scarf or purse can add a pop of excitement to your wardrobe in anything leopard.

9. Black and White Graphic – According to Vogue.com “Designers presented intricately geometric patterns, Rorschach-style motifs and trompe l’Å“il effects. The prints of the season created hypnotic images and optical illusions.”  For the everyday woman just look for fun, striped patterns in black and white!

10. My favorite find – The Poncho -  I love this look and especially since I picked up a Burberry inspired one in the fall I am all set for the cold evenings out. I love to wear all black with my poncho and/or pair it with my red pants for a fun look.

Stay warm and trendy this winter. *Photos below taken by my 13 year old!

Leopard sweatshirt!
Leopard sweatshirt just purchased for $12.99
military inspired sweater jacket
military inspired sweater jacket
Leopard accessories from my closet!
Leopard accessories from my closet!
Must have cape from trendymommies closet!
Must have Poncho from trendymommies closet!

 

Categories
Holidays Trends

980 WCAP talking kids fall fashions and Halloween

Today on the 980 WCAP trendymommies.com report we were talking kids fall fashion and of course what is in style for kids’ Halloween costumes.

Listen in!

[jwplayer mediaid=”2497″]

Categories
Holidays Trends

980 WCAP talking kids fall fashions and Halloween

Today on the 980 WCAP trendymommies.com report we were talking kids fall fashion and of course what is in style for kids’ Halloween costumes.

Listen in!

[jwplayer mediaid=”2497″]

Categories
Events Trends

Creative Kids? Honey Maid Helps Kids Get Their Ideas Made!

What a neat idea from Honey Maid.   The company created a new online initiative called Made Co. to help kids get their ideas made. Made Co. is a unique new online contest for kids ages 6-12 that can win opportunities to have their ideas brought to life with the help of industry experts.

It has been going on for months and there is only 13 days left  so check it out. The goal was to inspire the little ones to learn and create under the guidance of real world professionals in their chosen fields.

Through Made Co., Honey Maid will partner with several experts from a variety of industries including clothing designers, authors and game and toy makers. These industry experts will review idea submissions and select one grand prize winning idea per project to be professionally created, with the help of the winning applicant.

One of the current projects on the site now includes a chance to win a trip to attend a writer’s workshop (for a winning child with her/her parent) with My Weird School book series author, Dan Gutman, at Harper Collins Publishers headquarters in New York City. The winner will work with Dan and Harper Collins to produce ten copies of the book that he or she has conceived.

Honey Maid sent me a brochure and a gift card to Target so my little one could purchase a few items to help her create something special. Of course my author in the making chose the writing assignment (see the books below – can you tell we love My Weird School???) Armed with her pencils and notebooks she wrote a short story! She was very excited about the whole experience.

Visit the web site www.HoneyMaid.com/MadeCo. and the Facebook page  www.Facebook.com/HoneyMaid to learn more about this contest and the entire range of Honey Maid products such as Honey Maid Grahamfuls, which can help can fuel your child’s creativity. Have you tried the Grahamfuls yet? They taste so good!

Disclosure:  Honey Maid sent me a brochure and a gift card to purchase items to help with this project. All opinions are my own.

Supplies for the Honey Maid MadeCo. contest

My daughter’s inspiration!
Categories
food Holidays jewelry makeup purses Trends TV

Last Minute Gifts, Stocker Stuffer ideas @NECN

Tis’ the season for running around at the last minute…fa la la la la!

This morning on New England Cable News we were discussing stocking stuffer gift ideas. Here are some of the great finds we absolutely love!

  • Bloom Black Ties.com – it’s a pony tail holder made to look like jewelry on your wrist.  What  a great invention – how many of you have a black pony tail holder on your wrist right now?? Buy these chic ones and you’ll never be embarrassed again with a line of hair ties on your wrist!
  • Speaking of hair ties, DimannoDesigns.com has great handcrafted ponytail holders ($12.00)  and wrist cuffs ($33.00 and up)  – perfect for your teens.
  • I love TarteCosmetics.com This line is a favorite of mine as their products are made with vitamins, minerals and natural fruit and plant extracts and they are formulated without parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. puttin’ on the glitz limited-edition color collection & clutch is worth it as it is a clutch and has THREE compacts that you can choose from ($48.00)
  • If you want to give your little princess a little bling try ostbye.com Ostbye: Little Diva Diamondsâ„¢ collection:  They retail for under $150 and the company offers pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Each piece features a real diamond and sterling silver design.
  • It seems a lot of kids this season are requesting watches.  RUBR watches – Interchangeable, fun, colorful watches  ($25)
  • Bike Glow.com is great for kids.  It’s a fun, safe way to light up your bike. ($25.00)

Here are some organic finds:

  • Glee gum.com is a company is based in Providence, RI that makes all natural, no preservatives,  fun,  flavored gum. The make your own chewing gum makes 50 sticks – all ingredients in the kit including the pan  ($13.00)
  • For your artists – Glob IT ON.com paint set  all natural colors made from fruits and veggies, flowers and spices ($15.00)
  • Kids love hot chocolate so they will need a reusable cup:  Keepcup.com is a  BPA free, kids re-usable cup for hot cocoa  ($10.00)

We love our treats during the holidays and these are sure to bring a smile on a child’s face or a great gift to bring to your neighbors or anyone you visit this season.

  • An Osterville, MA mom created my little cup cake pop.com –– these are very trendy. They have no bake recopies on their web site . The cake pop mold is fun and easy to use  ($5.95)
  • Lake Champlain chocolates – fresh, all natural from VT starting at 10 dollars
  • Other fun candy like Rudolf’s boogers (ha, ha)  can be found at: www.niftycandy.com
  • Dancing Deer.com is a favorite of mine. Based in Boston but available online and at Whole Foods, these Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies are the best. The Whole Grain PB& J squares are new. The sward winning Chocolate Chunk Brownies have been named “America’s Best Tasting Brownie” based on a recent blind taste test in City Hall Plaza, Boston and a national consumer survey. They all come in the perfect stocking stuffer size)

Tomorrow we will tackle the toy list and warm weather fashions and accessories!