trendy mommies

I’m not the best at braids, ponytails or pigtails but I can slip in a clip into my girls’ hair! Instead of those boring store bought hair clips that tend to fall apart after one use here is a solution. This line of eye-catching and sparkling hair accessories by Los Angeles based Lucy Hammel is just stunning.  Each headband, clip and bow is made by hand with a touch of sparkle from the Swarovski crystals she uses.  Unlike any other bows or clips I have seen, each is unique and beautiful and will make a great special occasion gift! Check out the display:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7596001&ga_search_query=lucy&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Now that manicure and pedicure season is in full swing in the Northeast I have been investigating some brands of more natural nail polish.  A friend told me about Dr. Remedy http://www.remedynails.com

Dr. Remedy nail polish says it’s enhanced with naturally occurring anti-fungal ingredients and vitamins to promote healthier nails. It has no toxins like DBP, toluene or formaldehyde.

I just bought a bottle and will try it in a few days so I will let you know how it works.

I also checked the Sally Hansen web site which says they do not use toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde in their nail colors.  I like how this line has the new insta-dry fast dry nail color.  Just bought a few bottles of some very funky colors but after one day it has started to chip. It did dry pretty quickly.   http://www.sallyhansen.com/

OPI is another good brand I use and they have great colors (and cute names too)

From its web site they say, “Since 2006, OPI has reformulated its entire line of Nail Lacquers, Nail Treatments, and Nail Hardeners to eliminate DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and Toluene.  Formaldehyde has never been an ingredient in OPI Nail Lacquers or Nail Treatments.

http://www.opi.com

Ever notice how the kids toys pile up and you have no place to put them? I have a great fabric bin storage system that I use for the kids toys that I got at…surprise..target! But am always looking for places to put their stuffed animals.

The Container store has some great bins so you cannot go wrong there.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=20683774&itemIndex=3&CATID=71232&PRODID=10012560

Ikea also has these mesh storage containers that are great and colorful. The hanging ones are a great space saver and are only $1.49!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10098505

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90096786

But when I discovered Boon Inc. I was in heaven.  This company makes the best products.  The oval animal bag is the cutest thing.  It also doubles as a seat too so it would look great in a bedroom.  The trio animal bag is even bigger and will accommodate even the biggest collector of stuffed animals.

http://www.booninc.com/products/OvalAnimalBag/802

Argh..it has crept up sooner than I thought. Our club pool opened and I am not nearly ready to put on a bathing suit! In shape? No, swim suit ready? No,  Tan – kind of…. The temperature went from 40 to 90 in one week so of course so many people in the northeast are white as ghosts and have no tan.

I have never really tanned that well and since getting older I realized a little help from the self tanner might make me look a little slimmer so I was all for it. Come on….I think we all have tried some self tan product sooner or later at some point in our lives…..and the self tanning products have come a long way. Some products work better than others (you know what I am talking about…that orangey look) Here are some products I just love, but if you are going to attempt to spray tan make sure you exfoliate well and don’t keep reapplying too often.

Jergens Daily moisturizer – this is the first step for the commitment phobic self tanner. Light, gradual and natural.  Just bought the Jergens^® natural glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer so have yet to try it

 http://www.jergens.com/

I love this line  - Glow Fusion - but beware it dries very quickly which is good for getting dressed right away and sleeping on your sheets but bad for your palms. I got through all last summer with a dual pack of the natural protein tan and the enhancing emulsion. 

http://www.glowfusion.net

Clarins Liquid Bronze – This is a very light lotion that you can apply with a cotton pad – very natural looking

http://us.clarins.com

I have yet to try this one but would love to test it out! St. Tropez Everyday perfect Legs is a gradual self tanner with an instant bronzer in one.  

https://shop.sttropeztan.com/home.php

Who would have thought Multiplication would be fun?

Lisa Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Butterfly Junction did and she created adorable reusable multiplication flashcards. This very cool, stylish product makes multiplication fun.

The Butterfly Junction line of products are for girls ages 7 to 12. The Multiplication Card Sets and Multiplication Finger Charts are so fun and colorful. 

The portable multiplication write ‘n’ wipe cards contains a full table on each card front with a key on the back. Everything is contained in a little tin, making it easy to store, fun to carry. Kids won’t even think its an education tool at all!  The $15.00 Set contains:12 write ‘n’ wipe multiplication cards 1 write ‘n’ wipe progress card and1 aluminum storage case. The web site is soooooo cute too!!  http://www.bflyjunction.com/

I had my second grader test it out and even thought she is just learning multiplication she said this is cool.  Math is cool indeed!

So now is about that time of year when I jump-start an exercise program. It’s not that I don’t think about exercising but it seems right before summer —  bathing suit weather — I get more motivated.  Which got me thinking if some gear can give me a leg up why not try it.

I’ve had my fit flops for over a year now and for flip flops they are pretty comfortable.  Now this year they seem to have more stylish versions in patent leather.  I have the plain black and grey ones. I usually wear them when I am shopping and sometimes on a walk.  I feel great when I wear them so it must be doing something……http://www.fitflopsandal.com/

When I go to the gym and get on the treadmill I usually wear a old pair of sneakers….instead I just tried the Reebok Easy Tone Sneakers. They were comfortable too and if they can help tone my muscles why not give them a try. According to the web site easy tone will work your gluteus 28% harder and your calves 11% more effectively than ordinary walking shoes…..

We’ll see!

http://www.reebok.com/US/#/womens?view=easyTone

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of searching for the girls’ Easter dresses AND finding a first communion dress that was not a size 10! Plus, finding a size 10 shoe for my 4 year old was impossible….. Finally found a size 6 first communion dress that did not look like a mini wedding dress (although she did opt for a veil with a crown!). The shoes I found at The Disney Store because my 4 year old wanted shinny white shoes.

As you know TJ Maxx is my favorite and they had lots of dresses. Especially cute are the dresses that come with a matching doll dress!  Eyelet and ruffles seem to be a trend for girl dresses this season. Here are some online stores that have a good selection of dresses.

Chasing Fireflies has a good selection of casual and dressy dresses that are very adorable http://www.chasing-fireflies.com

Flower Girl Princess has great formalwear http://flowergirlprincess.com/catalog/

Pink Princess has a great selection of accessories like gloves, flower accessories and shoes- especially nice white ballet flats!  http://www.pinkprincess.com

Happy Easter!

It’s hard not to listen to the hype when you hear about a new product. (just don’t believe the commercials)  Love the information at http://www.totalbeauty.com. They review products and tell you exactly what they think so you don’t have to waste money anymore.  They also had a great story on the best and worst shampoos which was great. I have so many shampoos and I am always tryting new ones only to have some fail.  Check it out.

Much has been in the news recently about style on a budget.  From the Today Show, to numerous women’s magazines it’s all about shopping on a budget and looking within to update what you have. Here are some tips for this spring season!

·         Look at what you have in your closet before you shop – I know I have numerous items that if you just add a belt, earrings or a necklace,  a whole outfit is waiting to get out of my closet….which leads me to…..

·         Accessories can be recession proof - Necklaces, earrings and belts are all an easy and affordable way to dress up any outfit.  As I mentioned before I love Banana Republic and J Crew for accessories but some of my favorite bargain stores to shop accessories are Forever 21 and Aldo accessories

·         Shop the discount stores – for us in New England that can range from TJ Maxx, Filenes Basement to the new Nordstrom’s Rack!

·         The top trends this season include exposed zippers, ruffles, fringes, neon and mini florals. Check out the today show segment on fashion under $50.00

I have been a little preoccupied by the necklaces Ali Wenthworth has been wearing on the Oprah Show on Fridays.  Where can I get it?? I am so surprised no one else is talking about it!  

This season the style in necklaces is all about flowers and what is called the bib necklace.  I love them!  I checked out a few similar ones but really want to know where she got hers.  Most are expensive! But I did some digging and here are some of my favorite ones and stores that I think have really great jewelry.

I have this one from Banana Republic called the Garden statement necklace $98.00  but they might have sold out as it’s no longer on their web site and each story only received one or two

The Primrose garden necklace from J Crew is so pretty.  $115

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/jewelry/necklaces/PRDOVR~10921/10921.jsp

Carol Lee Jewelry - http://www.carolee.com/ The Floral Crystal and White Simulated Pearl Choker Necklace $350 - beautiful for special occassions….

H&M always has nice jewelry but you will have to head to your local store as they do not sell items online.

Also, check out http://www.whowhatwear.com for their necklace discussion!