trendy mommies

@JasonWu. I got nothing!

Annmarie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:36:07 +0000

While the men were prepping for the @SuperBowl many of the ladies were heading to @Target to see the @JasonWu line. I wish this was a fun post on what I thought of the fabrics and what neat items I picked up. I got nothing! From what I hear all items are sold out everywhere and the sizes run really big. My Target store opened at 8:00 am and when I arrived at 10:00 am all I saw was 2 size XL shirts and one really ugly scarf. That’s it, nothing else. When I asked up front about the selection they had no idea what I was talking about! But the sales associate at the dressing room said people were lined up at 8:00 am outside. Really? In the suburbs of Boston? Well at least we got to preview the items and there are a couple items left online.

Kids Hair Accessories @Forever21

Annmarie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:34:12 +0000

Hair Accessories – my kids love them but they also lose them or break them…a lot! Headbands, clips, pony tail holders, etc. all here today and sometimes gone tomorrow. That is why I dread spending a lot of money on anything that goes in their hair. On a recent gal’s night out with my 7 year old we took a trip to forever 21. She knew immediately that is was not a kids store when she went reaching for a few t-shirts but when we hit the accessories section she was in heaven and so was I.

Cute necklaces for under $4.00….. Hair clips and headbands for $1.50…I did not mind getting a few for her and her sister. The store had the trendiest ones available – headbands with feathers in them. In fact anything with feathers is my 7 year old’s favorite. These clips I might keep for myself!

@forever21 hair accessories

Super Bowl or shopping @target?

Annmarie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:59:23 +0000

I know…..everyone is excited about the Super Bowl…especially us here in Boston. Today on my weekly radio show we talked parties and what some women will be doing on Sunday….heading…to..Target..for….the launch of the Jason Wu line! Listen in

WCAP1.31

Tangerine Tango Color of 2012

Annmarie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:38:18 +0000

Today is a bright, sunny and warm day in Boston so it is making me think of Spring! Right before the holidays the folks at the Pantone Institute announced the color of 2012: Tangerine Tango. It is like a reddish-orange color and full of energy. Glad I have some left over flip flops and t’s in this color from last season!

According to Pantone, orange has been gaining popularity among designers and consumers for years and is now being used in fashion, design and cosmetics. It has year-round viability with its vibrancy to match spring’s liveliness, while still holding on to the elements of its traditionally autumnal hue. Love it! What do you have in your closet from last year that you can grab this season in this fun color?

I adore @AdoraCalcium

Annmarie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:45:40 +0000

You all know I love chocolate! Sometimes I have to have it every day. A good dark chocolate can actually be healthy for you but a bit of chocolate every day can add up (that is on the scale!)

A friend of mine actually gave me these adora calcium supplements as a gift for Christmas (along with a fine gift card to @Marshalls) as she knows how much I love chocolate. She tried to explain them to me and how tasty they were and they were hard chocolate and yummy (yeah..right a supplement that tastes good). When I finally tasted them I got it! Each chocolate disk has only 30 calories per serving and provides half of your daily value of calcium. It also provides vitamin D3 and magnesium. You can take one disk up to three times a day.

Women certainly don’t get enough calcium and now we have a tasty option. There are no artificial sweeteners, no trans fats or corn syrup and they are gluten free. Adora is available online and at Whole Foods and at the Vitamin Shoppe. I have tried both the dark chocolate and the milk chocolate (Disclosure: the company sent me a package of the milk chocolate to test out) and both are creamy and oh so good! Finally, a healthier way to supplement my chocolate cravings! Taste for yourself and let me know what you think…..

A good tasting calcium supplement

@mimijumi natural baby bottles

Annmarie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:06:40 +0000

I am amazed at all the creative, unique and ergonomically correct baby items available on the market today. When my first daughter arrived I thought I had the latest and greatest products. Then my second daughter was born and again I was shocked at what new baby products were introduced in the marketplace. Fast forward 7 years later and there are even better products, especially for feeding. I wish I had this mimijumi not so hungry baby bottle when my girls were born as I bet it would have made transitioning between breast and bottle much smoother.

The bottle’s design is quite unique and is based on the psychological dynamics of feeding/soothing items as transitional objects. The bottle even looks like a breast! It is also free of BPA and phthalates and it includes what they call an integrated ventilation system to aid in baby’s digestion. The 4 oz. retails for $13.99. Disclosure: the company sent me the not so hungry bottle to review.

mimijumi natural baby bottle

Exercise in the new year? @lululemon to the rescue

Annmarie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:53:26 +0000

It is a new year and the craziness of the holiday season is over. For many of us that means back to work, back to school and back to an exercise routine. My friend said she went to the gym on January 1st and there were no parking spaces in the parking lot. Let’s see how long that lasts! Notice I did not say I went to the gym and could not find a space…..

Hopefully the three sessions I bid on and won at a charity auction will help me jump start my fitness routine (yes, once again!)

This is sad for me to admit but I did have to dig though my closet for my sneakers and exercise clothes! Yes. those. old. exercise clothes. I think putting your clothes out and having them ready makes all the difference and having fun, cute exercise clothes can certainly help to motivate you as well. I do have two pairs of pants from lululemon athletica – They make the BEST pants! Of course the headbands, gym bags and tops are fun and fashionable as well!

A couple of nice workout shirts and my favorite lululemon pants should get me motivating in no time…psst..there is a sale going on in the lululemon stores right now so get moving!

Time for the last minute Toy Round-up!

Annmarie — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:07:54 +0000

Tis’ the season for tiny toys! fa la la la la…. I found some great toys this holiday season which can fit nicely in a stocking!

I love these tin games from The Haywire Group. The French Toast and the Cat’s PJ’s game are perfect for kids ages 3+ as there is no reading required and they are great for travel. ($9.99)

Mini Inkoos (4+$7.99) are so cute to draw on over and over again. Their tag line is if you can think it you can ink it (and wash it off and do it again!)
Shoulder Buddies (5+, $5.99) - these remind me of the troll dolls when I was younger. Your kids can wear them anywhere and they have a magic coin that keep the little buddy attached.
Handvibes.com are rings with fun saying for $3.99 a pack. You can find them at Target.
Banagrams.com - A great word game for grandparents to give grandkids (2-8 players ages 7-97) where you can race each other to create crossword grids. The Pairs in Pears is a memory game that makes pairs of connecting words in matching patterns. Come in adorable packaging
Any Game from Marbles the Brain Store . This is a unique, fun store that has educational products. The Facebox art is great for kids to get creative and can make up to 100,000 different faces. ($9.99) The build your own Kaleidoscope retails for $12.99.
Wugglepets.com - For $19.99 the little ones can create their own stuffed animal! Well, this won’t fit in a stocking but it’s still an adorable gift!

Happy Holidays!

Trendymommies Toy Round-Up

Last Minute Gifts: Warm Weather Fashions

Annmarie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:52:43 +0000

In keeping with my blog posts this week…..tis the season for cold weather…fa la la la la…

There are so many fun accessories for the winter season to make you look oh, so fashionable. Here are a few of my favorites and some I mentioned on NECN.

It’s a scarf? A shawl? A belt? It can be all of them. The Isatwist.com is a hand knit flexible woven fabric that does it all (starting at $76)
I love Echo scarfs! Echo Touch gloves in the kids version keeps your little ones’ hands warm while they keep in touch on their iphone, ipad, etc. ($24.00) They have wonderful infinity ring scarf’s and sets as well. Nice colors and selection on their website
Thumbdogs.com are great with any pair of gloves you own. You can attach to any glove and use your iphone, even to ski gloves too, but make sure you check your phone on the ski lift and not on the slopes! ($12.99)
These are very trendy right now: animal hats: D&Y critter kingdom gloves and hats. Everyone seems to be wearing critter gloves and hats this season. I love this line!
My kid’s favorite are the fuzzy animal hoods from Spirit Hoods. ($79.00)
And of course to dress up your boots this season check out HUGGRZ. (Disclosure: and I am not just saying that because they are my client.) These boot wraps are great, try them out yourself and change the look of the boots you have (so save yourself some $ this season). They have 20 different styles and fabrics from fur, leopard print and knit.

Last Minute Gifts, Stocker Stuffer ideas @NECN

Annmarie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:25:17 +0000

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 Diamonds™ 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!