Sunday, October 21, 2007

How to get LUCKY (virtually)

I'll admit that with little time in my day to sh*t in peace, leisure reading has gone almost out the window. I look forward to going to the doctors office b/c the waiting room affords me 15 minutes to catch up with some magazines I rarely see anymore. In weeding out the unnecessary reads, Lucky Magazine - home to hot fashion, makeup etc., went by the wayside long, long ago. My MIL who owns a very hip boutique still has a subscription and I peek at it at her house from time to time. It is because of that, I am confident that they are still the source of great finds. So (again from the NY Times Style Section) I was excited to see this article about their fashion sample sale of sorts, which has now gone online! Up to 70% off, over 50 designers.
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/10/21/fashion/20071021_PULSE_SLIDESHOW_2.html
For those of you who need the Cliff's Notes - go to http://www.luckyshops.com
I have to say that this makes me long for my old home (8 long years ago) in NYC. But it also reminds me, for those of you who love to do the sample sale thing, no one beats http://www.dailycandy.com/ for updates on all of the hottest sample sales virtual and brick and mortar. Just sign up for the city(s) of your choice and you'll be plugged in. Of course my favorite is that they now have a Daily Candy Kids too. http://www.dailycandy.com/kids/everywhere/ How sweet is that?

Another coat in the litanny of coats

I'll admit that I got this idea straight out of the NY Times Style Section and that it is far outside the cost parameters of the original post of kids winter coats. But, there are caveats. If you like to match with you children (not my taste, but it must be someones), or if you like high fashion for your little ones - this might be the coat.
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/10/21/fashion/20071021_PULSE_SLIDESHOW_3.html
I will tell those of you who might want it, that it is available at multiple sites that allow you to order online. Space Kiddets has amazing (read - cost of food for a small country) kids stuff but you cannot order online. Try these instead.
http://www.starspangledcarousel.com/store/product.php?sku=lilf07045
http://www.madisonandfriends.com/product.asp?lt=c&catid=3302&pfid=MAF07641
The one above is a little different but equally cute by the same designer.
I was however, hard pressed to find a site that sold the adult sizes. I guess for that you'd have to go to the store or call and have it sent.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Sometimes I feel like a sucker...

...and sometimes I still can't stand that folks here use that name for lollipops. Either way, as the wife of a dentist, whatever you call them they are generally a big NO-NO in my house. As most mom's (and dad's) know there are ALWAYS exceptions. At my daughter's 4th birthday party last weekend we broke our own rule...well...maybe more like bent it. We shared Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops with the kids (and parents). I recognize that "organic lollipops" is quite the oxymoron but trust me here and read on. Let's get the most important question covered first - they taste AMAZING! With flavors like Mango Tango, Pomegranate Pucker, Cheeky Lemon and Wet-Face Watermelon - what could be bad? Now the part you have all been waiting with baited breath for - what's in them? Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Tapioca, Non-GMO Citric Acid, Organic and Natural Flavors , Watermelon, Lemon Oil, Pomegranate, Mango, Organic and Natural Colors, Red Cabbage and Purple Carrots.

What's not in them? They are Allergen, GMO, Soy, Nut, Gluten, Wheat and Dairy free.

And like many of my latest posts (totally coincidentally) they are in some way related to me. They are made by my mom's dear friend's nephew in-law. I for one, am a fan. And I can tell you that all of the 18 kids and parents at my daughter's party agreed.

http://www.yummyearth.com/

Shiny, Happy Hair

It is true that there are products for my kids that make me whoop for joy and some for me, as a mom that do the same. But, I can also admit that a new shampoo is often enough to get me to pop out of bed when the alarm goes off at 6:00 am. I know, I know...it doesn't take much. I have to say though that it is hard to impress a product whore (like myself) who has little allegiance to a particular brand or type of shampoo and conditioner. I have straight, brown hair. I don't color it, or perm it, or straighten it, so all of those formulas are lost on me. What I do love though, is shiny and healthy looking hair. So imagine my excitement when the Bliss Shiny Hair shampoo I took from a friend's hotel room (thanks Jodi) made my hair just that! The fact that I was not staying at the hotel, but still pilfered the goods is sooo besides the point.

I used it for a while as my travel shampoo and the last time I went to visit my parents my mom even commented on my hair's glossy glow. But reality hit when I ran out and realized that to maintain such luster I'd have to spend $18 per bottle (shampoo and conditioner) for 8.5 ounces. Or the fabulous discount of buying them together for a whopping savings of $4. For those with money to burn click below for aforementioned fabulousness.

http://www.blissworld.com/product/brands/bliss/hair/bliss+supershine+shampoo+-+conditioning+rinse+set.do

Being the ever consumer savvy girl that am (and a frequent CVS shopper) I stumbled upon Burt's Bee's version of Shiny Hair products. I was a bit skeptical, but the organic packaging and fantastic Grapefruit and Sugar Beet scent won me over (what the hell is a sugar beet?). I'll be honest, if the Bliss stuff was a 10, the Burt's Bee's was an 8. The hair was very shiny and smelled ever so fresh and garden like but not quite as amazing as the Bliss results. However, the price made it my new favorite product at $8 for 12 ounces (links for both shampoo and conditioner below). Unlike the Bliss products which could be found NOWHERE in Columbus, OH and required the added cost of shipping, the Burt's Bee's products are in your neighborhood CVS and other like stores. So, I am with Meatloaf on this one - 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryId=10007&subCategoryId=-83&productId=-73&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryId=10007&subCategoryId=-78&productId=-72&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1