Month: February 2012

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Uncategorized

Back to school – Back to routine

Today on my trendymommies.com weekly radio guest spot we of course talked Oscars but we also talked about transitioning your kids back to a routine after having a week off! What do you do to get your kids back on track? Here are a few tips that I have found work pretty well!

  • Make no plans Sunday night – Especially after a week’s vacation -  take a chill pill! I remember growing up we always had Sunday night dinner and quite time afterwards to wind down from the weekend.  Have the kids relax with you, watch a movie or even have a quiet family dinner.
  • Late nights are the norm on a vacation so I usually start to transition them back to their normal bedtime a few nights before school starts (not just the Sunday night)
  • Be prepared – I made sure I had “school” snacks already packed, lunches, backpack and clothes ready to go. I try to do this every night.  My kids don’t like when I make the sandwiches the night before but many moms do just that and that helps!  Anything that can cut your morning routine time helps!
  • I have to admit I have a hard time getting up in the morning and my hubby has actually changed the clocks back 15 minutes so that it looks like I am running late when actually I am not – I know how goofy is that – but frankly I forget he does this so it helps on some days!  A little secret:  we would make it look like it was later when the kids were younger by switching the clock back saying no it really is your bedtime. This stopped working when they got older and figured out to go and check all the clocks in the house and it rarely worked in summer when it was still light out! Sometimes they just need the extra sleep!
Categories
Clothes

Best Dressed Oscars 2012

I love the Oscars. I got to watch all of the pre-coverage and the show as my hubby attended to the sick kids (well that and they did not move much the whole night thanks to strep and stomach bug – ugh….more on that later!) So today my post has to be quick (as they are both home from school…although why are they running around when they are sick?? anyway…)The glamour, the dresses and the stars were shinning last night. Here are my top 5 favorite picks for best dressed:

  • Michelle Williams chose a great color and dress. The coral strapless Louis Vuitton gown was amazing.  I don’t know why people thought it was red! She looked stunning and she seems like such a lovely person!
  • My second favorite was Octavia Spencer in that sequined gown! She really knows how to dress and work her curves – it was elegant and Oscar worthy.  The dress was by designer Tadashi Shoji.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford looked so fresh. Her bracelet and rings added just the right touch of sparkle.  Her hair and make-up was flawless. I actually liked the cape as it was different but glad she took it off so we could see the dress!
  • Next was Tina Fey who looked radiant.  The strapless Carolina Herrera gown made her look perfect and her hair and accessories matched perfectly as well.
  • Cameron Diaz in Gucci  – the hair, her skin color all flowed together and the necklace was fab!

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Uncategorized

School Vacation Week on the Cheap

It is day three of school vacation week and I am proud to say we are relaxing! (that and I am working as well!)  The kids just love this.  This past weekend my hubby’s friend was in from Miami and we ventured out to lunch and dinner at various restaurants. We did take a trip to a petting zoo but I think I liked it more than the kids (see photo)  So far this week my kids had friends over and we watched a few movies – some better than others (hello…fred..the movie..ugh)

If you are looking for things to do this week that are pretty low key and affordable, here are some tips:

  • Have a movie night and the kids can invite over their friends – always a fun time at our house, especially the popcorn with the parmesan cheese!
  • Take a walk in the park. I have not been good about walking the puppy but the kids love to take the trip around a local lake to explore. We also had a puppy play date with our dog’s sister.
  • This is our slow sports season- swim team is complete so we are waiting for soccer and lacrosse to start so my hubby took the girls and some friends to play lacrosse and practice some drills (and found out he was out of shape in the process – but that is another story!)
  • School vacation is not complete without a trip to a breakfast hangout, the mall or some other store adventure (we love the dollar store!)  My kids also love to head to Starbucks for a hot chocolate. We ventured to Barnes & Noble and they did actually read while they were there! We bought a few biographies that the girls are really into. We also like to head to Jordan’s furniture for the ice cream, an IMAX show, and the jelly beans!

Enjoy the week!

School Vacation Week Fun
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Uncategorized

New business cards @overheardatmoo

I just love ordering new business cards – a new, fresh, fun card arrived in the mail!

Categories
food

A new snack for me and the kids: Kraft @MilkBite

I love a good granola bar!  As a busy mom with two kids I am always looking for snacks that 1. my kids will like and 2. that are good alternatives to the sugary snacks they gravitate toward.  Kraft Foods just launched their MILKBITE Milk and Granola Bars that provide the same amount of calcium as an 8 oz glass of milk. The bars are found in the dairy aisle as they need to be refrigerated and they taste yummy! The taste is smooth, cool and tastes just like a chewy granola bar but with some benefits!

I tried the chocolate flavor (they can really satisfy you if you are having a chocolate craving!) but they also have strawberry, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and mixed berry. These bars contain 5 grams of protein, 7 grams of whole grains and they are a good source of vitamin D and fiber.  There is no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  I like them as lately I have not been drinking enough milk and they are an excellent source of calcium with 30% of the daily recommended value.  They retail for $3.49 a box.  Hope you enjoy this new snack option.

Disclosure: The company sent me samples to test out

A new snack option
Categories
food

A new snack for me and the kids: Kraft @MilkBite

I love a good granola bar!  As a busy mom with two kids I am always looking for snacks that 1. my kids will like and 2. that are good alternatives to the sugary snacks they gravitate toward.  Kraft Foods just launched their MILKBITE Milk and Granola Bars that provide the same amount of calcium as an 8 oz glass of milk. The bars are found in the dairy aisle as they need to be refrigerated and they taste yummy! The taste is smooth, cool and tastes just like a chewy granola bar but with some benefits!

I tried the chocolate flavor (they can really satisfy you if you are having a chocolate craving!) but they also have strawberry, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and mixed berry. These bars contain 5 grams of protein, 7 grams of whole grains and they are a good source of vitamin D and fiber.  There is no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  I like them as lately I have not been drinking enough milk and they are an excellent source of calcium with 30% of the daily recommended value.  They retail for $3.49 a box.  Hope you enjoy this new snack option.

Disclosure: The company sent me samples to test out

A new snack option
Categories
Events Teens

Boston Event Recap: TeenLife LIVE! @TeenLifeMedia

While my kids are not teens yet I really wanted to attend this event in Boston – Teen Life LIVE! The Fifth Annual Community Service Fair & Expo took place at the Chestnut Hill Mall on Sunday. In case you haven’t heard of TeenLife.com it is the “go to” online destination for students, parents and educators nationwide who are seeking programs, products and services geared to college-bound teens, aged 13-19.

The event featured over 50 Boston area non-profits that engage teen volunteers. I thought it would be interesting to see all the different organizations there and to find out a bit more about volunteerism.

I brought my 10 year old and her friend and while they were a bit young to really engage, I was glad as a parent that I took the time to see all the different opportunities that are available to students when they reach that critical age.  WE have to be prepared! Studies have shown that teens who volunteer gain benefits ranging from increased self-esteem to acquiring valuable job skills.

We certainly did not have this event when I was young and I think it opens up many doors for kids to think beyond their world.  Volunteer opportunities for students under 18 can be limited, and students, educators and parents often struggle to find meaningful opportunities that match students’ schedules and interests. This was one place where parents, kids as well as educators could gather information, sign up for information and really learn about the types of opportunities that would be a fit. Plus volunteering at an organization can really help a student decide if that is what interests them.

The free event connected more than 1,200+ students, parents, and teachers with 50 local non-profits in and around Boston that specifically engage teen volunteers. In addition to the goodie bag we received a printed copy of the 2012 TeenLife Guide to Community Service in Boston.

Some of the non-profits at this year’s fair included ABCD Career Explorations, The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Cares, Challenge Unlimited, Cradles to Crayons, the DeCordova Museum, DoSomething.org, Families for Depression Awareness, The Food Project, Hale Reservation, Heifer International, Horizons for Homeless Children, New England Aquarium, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, New England Baptist Hospital, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Boston, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, People Making a Difference, Princeton Prize in Race Relations, Roots & Shoots, Samaritans, Tenacity, and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

If you haven’t heard of all that TeenLife has to offer go to their web site where you can receive announcements about all of TeenLife’s guides, bi-monthly e-newsletters, and calendar events relevant to a particular region. They really can help families and schools to connect middle and high school students with all sorts of meaningful opportunities, such as summer programs, community service, after school and weekend activities, and gap year programs.

TeenLife Live Event
TeenLife Live Event
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Products Uncategorized

My new water bottle @BambooBottleCO

I have a bunch of stainless steel water bottles which I love – you won’t see any plastic bottles in this household!  While attending the Be Healthy Boston Expo I discovered a new bottle which is quite unique and I am sure my mom friends will love it.   The Bamboo Bottle is a glass bottle surrounded by an outer layer of bamboo.  The bottle, including the straw and lid is BPA free. I love drinking water out of glass and will enjoy my iced tea out of my new glass bottle too!  It is also safe for hot beverages as well.  The glass can slide out for easy cleaning and is dishwasher-safe.  The creators of this bottle wanted to add an element of bamboo as according to the web site: “It is as sleek as it is durable. It is as stylish as it is sensible. And it’s renewable”.  It is a bit heavy but it’s perfect  to keep by my bedside table and on my office desk.

Disclosure: the company sent me a bottle to review

The Bamboo Bottle
Categories
Products

My new water bottle @BambooBottleCO

I have a bunch of stainless steel water bottles which I love – you won’t see any plastic bottles in this household!  While attending the Be Healthy Boston Expo I discovered a new bottle which is quite unique and I am sure my mom friends will love it.   The Bamboo Bottle is a glass bottle surrounded by an outer layer of bamboo.  The bottle, including the straw and lid is BPA free. I love drinking water out of glass and will enjoy my iced tea out of my new glass bottle too!  It is also safe for hot beverages as well.  The glass can slide out for easy cleaning and is dishwasher-safe.  The creators of this bottle wanted to add an element of bamboo as according to the web site: “It is as sleek as it is durable. It is as stylish as it is sensible. And it’s renewable”.  It is a bit heavy but it’s perfect  to keep by my bedside table and on my office desk.

Disclosure: the company sent me a bottle to review

The Bamboo Bottle
Categories
Events

Valentine’s Day is one week away!

I almost forgot. Valentine’s Day is a week away. How do you celebrate with your significant other? With the kids?  Today on WCAP we were discussing what makes a good gift….Know your mate for sure!

Listen in…..

ValentinesDay