Trendy Mommies

Ok so it’s January 8^th? I hope the new year’s resolutions are continuing. The top new year’s resolutions are always loose weight, work out more, get organized, get your finances in order, spend more time with family and friends, etc. etc. So, historically when you are committing to something the more people you tell the more likely it is that you will stick to it (yeah right)
 

But here goes….This year instead of the traditional resolutions I tried to think a little differently and committed to the following:

·         Read more books – so far I have read three books and am in the process of reading Jean Chatzky’s Make Money Not excuses. Also on my list is Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell and A Whole Mind by Daniel Pink.
·         Embrace and actually use social networking – facebook, twitter, etc.  – you have do this nowadays!
·         Get out and do more in-person networking and reconnect with business associates and be a mentor as well.
·         Having moved to new house – try to finish the decorating!
·         Actually print the photos that I take with my digital camera and go back to the old days of putting pictures in photo albums instead of looking at them and downloading them to the computer to never see them again….
Good luck with the resolutions you make!

Is it me or is everyone obsessed with twitter? I am still in the early learning stages but it seems everyone is on line blogging, posting videos, sharing information. There are so many sites you can read, become involved in and spend a lot of time online!
 

The stroller company bugaboo has just launched a new site called Bugaboo Friends. I must say it’s pretty cool.
 

It’s a great way to see how people all around the world stay active and get around with kids!  It’s especially inspiring for new moms as I can remember the first time I went out with the stroller and the baby – what a maneuver. It’s a nice reminder to see that once you have kids life does not stop.  On the site there are challenges, and each month a featured friend with an inspiring story. After watching a few of the videos and hearing the stories I’ll bet you will be strapping that baby in the stroller and heading on your own adventure. Just make sure you let bugaboo friends know about it!
 

Check it out https://www.bugaboo.com/uk/en/friends_introduction

I always have this problem with jean and pants as I can never find them to fit just right and belting them always looks bulky. Plus with my round stomach I certainly do not want to add an extra bulk around my waist!  There is this great product called the isABelt which is a clear, virtually invisible, fully adjustable belt that keeps your pants in place.  It helps you avoid low rise jeans from slipping (and that thong from showing!) and the back gap that you get with most jeans. No more pulling up your pants! It’s great if you are trying to loose weight as it’s adjustable and perfect post pregnancy. Yipee!  Sure enough, I tested it and my pants stayed in place and no bulk! Check out  https://www.isabelt.com          

 

So we all know that this is the kids favorite holiday (ok its really not a holiday) but tell that to my 7 year old who thought she could get out of French class this morning due to the “holiday”.  My younger one wants to know when we are going haloweening – so cute aren’t they? 

This year the costume choices were perfectly clear – Hannah Montana for the older one and I took the younger one to the store to pick out her own costume. She chose a lovely mermaid outfit (but it’s not ariel… she is well aware of that) but it still looks adorable anyway!
 

I was searching online for costumes for kids and would you believe there is an actual site called Halloween Costumes for kids?https://halloweencostumes4kids.com

They really have a great selection of all my favorites – Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline, Daphne from Scooby Doo
 

If you wait to the last minute like me and are crafty (not me) check out https://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/halloween_ms_costumes/
 

The step by step directions are very helpful for us non crafty people!

 

So we all know that this is the kids favorite holiday (ok its really not a holiday) but tell that to my 7 year old who thought she could get out of French class this morning due to the “holiday”.  My younger one wants to know when we are going haloweening – so cute aren’t they? 

This year the costume choices were perfectly clear – Hannah Montana for the older one and I took the younger one to the store to pick out her own costume. She chose a lovely mermaid outfit (but it’s not ariel… she is well aware of that) but it still looks adorable anyway!
 

I was searching online for costumes for kids and would you believe there is an actual site called Halloween Costumes for kids?https://halloweencostumes4kids.com

They really have a great selection of all my favorites – Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline, Daphne from Scooby Doo
 

If you wait to the last minute like me and are crafty (not me) check out https://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/halloween_ms_costumes/
 

The step by step directions are very helpful for us non crafty people!

 

Having come back from a business trip in Miami where the temperature was 85 degrees and sunny I was stunned by the change of cold weather in Boston – 30-40’s in the morning. Now I love fashion but want to be warm at the same time. My friend was laughing at me while packing for the airport as I scored some great deals in Miami on winter clothes and was trying to stuff it all in my one carry on bag.  I put aside some of the sweaters and one scarf I bought and she said you are going to look like a bag lady in the airport!
Here are just some of the items that I cozy up to in the cooler seasons

UGG Boots – I don’t care who says anything bad about UGG boots -  I still love my UGG boots. My two young daughters call them the ugly boots and really protest wearing them even though they don’t have to wear socks.  The women’s Selene is so stylish. I would love to get that pair!   

https://www.uggaustralia.com/index.aspx
 

Burberry scarf – Now many may not know there are a few different types of scarfs:  One all wool, one all cashmere and one half and half. I have the cashmere and wool one. They also have some wonderful capes.  I bet the check cape with hood is sooooooo warm.
https://www.burberryusaonline.com/home/index.jsp
 

Black leggings – I do love how Vera Wang looks so good all the time in her leggings  -  I love to wear my black legging with a long sweater.  I bought some last year at White House/Black Market but only saw some summer ones online

https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com

Who would have thought the great t-shirt company C&C California has leggings too  – sweet. Check out https://www.candccalifornia.com/
https://www.candccalifornia.com/Full_Legging_/pd/np/109/p/100021.html

 

Yikes – I let summer vacation go to my head!  In the midst of all of our trips to the beach and packing tons of sunscreen I realized there are quite a few essentials I could have used this summer (and of course did head to the store to pick up a few gadgets). Here are a few you may like:
 

After schlepping all of my bags, toys and kids to the beach I realized there has to be a simpler way – whether you call it a beach buggy or a beach cart – it’s pretty cool way to pack up for the day  https://www.wonderwheeler.com 

Sick of loosing sand toys and lugging them in a cumbersome bag? I  bought a mesh bag with a shoulder strap that I just love. Here is another one for the little ones – toys already in a backpack.  https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/7370.htm  This site also has great gear from the stakes you need for your cabana to boogie boards.
 

Speaking of beach cabanas why not bring your own?  https://www.onestepahead.com has the best one for the whole family.

Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Well…not totally yet…..So after the whole baby shampoo incident – yes I am still talking about that!  I went to my local networking luncheon and there was a great speaker who told us about this wonderful site https://www.safecosmetics.org

So for the last few weeks I’ve been talking to everyone I know and obsessing a bit about checking ALL of my beauty products (and you know me –  I have a ton of them!)  It rates your products from 1-10; 10 being the worst in terms of having a lot of chemicals, etc.  As long as you don’t have all your daily products a 10 you should be find but it is interesting to log on and see that your favorite product is a 9!   So onto my list for the things I have changed – deodorant, liquid hand soap, kids shampoo and many scented body lotions.
 

Hand soap – most all contain some sort of fragrance so they are a big offender. So I have tried Dr. Bronner’s Magic soap https://www.drbronner.com and Jason satin soap which is still listed as a 5 but has no Lauryl sulfates or paraben preservatives and you can find it at most Whole Foods.
 

Deodorant – still love Dove but have also been surprised by Almay Unscented and its effectiveness
 

Kids shampoo – now I try anything by Burt’s Bee https://www.burtsbees.com
 

Some Body lotions are still pretty heavy scented but a brand I have always loved is London’s Moulton Brown. I think many years ago I got hooked on this line at a NYC hotel.  They tend to discontinue their items (still crying over ABC shower gel!) so don’t get too attached!  https://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/