The season for want (but certainly not need)

My in-laws make a VERY big deal about the holiday's. Totally over the top! That and having two small kids makes this the time of year I begin to think about gifts. Anyone who knows me well would agree that I LOVE to give gifts, even more than I like to receive them (no worries I never turn down a gift). With that said, it seems the Holiday Catalogs starting coming this year at the end of summer. There is normally nothing more annoying, but now that my older daughter thinks she should sit down with a pen and "seriously" circle all of the things she "has to have", it's more tolerable. So I have begun a list (hopefully a lead free one) and will share all of the 1+ and 4+ recommendations. It will be complied from many other mom blogs as well as our own wants. I will also share best places to find them. Much of the list will veer from the traditional b/c quite frankly if I have to look at more toy with lights, music, bells and whistles I might just - well you know. I will also change the ad on the left column from "back to school" picks to "holiday picks" as soon as Cool Mom Picks updates theirs.

For now their "safer toy guide (i.e lead free)" button is on the left-hand column below the Blogher ads.

Here are a few other good guides to web shopping with coupons -
http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/holiday2007.htm

Anyone with a "must have" or a list of their own should feel free to share in the comment section and I will post it as part of my list (but with credit to the author).

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.

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

The sitter who wasn't

The kids' school was closed and I had a sitter set up for the day so that I could go to work - no problem. But, (great for her, bad for me) she got a "real job" working at a bakery and had to cancel at the 11th hour. So what to do? Then, brilliant Em says to me "call the school and see if any of the teachers want to babysit" and I say "brilliant" and I do. And they do. So great for me again. I did not get to meet her in advance, normally a big no-no for me but, the school runs criminal background checks on everyone and checks their references so she was vetted and I felt OK. Until this morning (after I had cleaned my house - g-d forbid a sitter would think us messy - and typed out requisite do's and don'ts list and had gotten both kids fed and dressed) when I sat and watched at the clock roll right past 7:30 am when she was supposed to arrive, past 7:45 and even 8:00. She did not show up and she did not call and I made desperate fleeting attempts to find a way to reach her or anyone else for that matter who could watch my monkeys, but to no avail. So instead I did the one thing every working mom dreads, I took my kids to work. Let me tell you that this morning epitomizes why you just can't have it all. You can not be a 100% mom and a 100% worker bee professional. All I wanted to do was cry!! OK what I really wanted to do was sit down on the floor and drink but crying sounds less mommy dearest.

Instead I reminded myself that this is why I just took on a second job (no I did not check my sanity at the door, just the only 5 free minutes I had left in the day).

Insert shameless plug.

I just became the Columbus city manager for a Texas based company called Mommy Mixer http://www.mommymixer.com/
The idea is as follows "When you meet someone face-to-face, you know if they're a good fit - it's true in babysitting as well as dating! Our exclusive MommyMixers® give moms and babysitters the chance to scope each other out in person in a comfortable, fun environment. There's no better way to find a big selection of sitters or moms who are right for you. Mixers generally take place at high-end boutiques and hip spots around town and last about an hour. Each Mixer begins with the sitter candidates briefly introducing themselves and describing their experience, schedules and preferences. Then the moms do the same. After the introductions, moms and sitters are free to mingle and chat to find the best match for their needs. At the end of the Mixer, moms leave with a comprehensive copy of The Babysitter Book™ that includes each candidate's résumé, contact information and photo. When moms get home, they can contact their favorite sitters directly to establish an hourly rate, check references and set up in-home interviews to meet the kiddos."

As one newspaper who ran a story covering on of the mixers put it this way "it's like speed dating for moms and sitters." The idea is so hot that Mommy Mixer is already in over 18 cities and will be featured on Good Morning America within the next few weeks.

Apparently I have multiple motivations for doing this, not the least of which is to never be in this morning's situation again. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Not down with that

I can't even imagine what moms in really cold places do. All I wanted were down jackets for my two girls for this winter. "No big deal" I figured. Oh, how wrong I was! I must have done three google searches, hit no less than 30 online stores and 10 brick and mortar. What is the brilliance behind a heavy down coat with NO HOOD (L.L Bean) or ones that are shiny gold (Gap) and filled not with down but polyester (Gap and Old Navy) or ones with the UGLIEST heart stitching reminiscent of 1975 (Old Navy)? Then there are the thousands of 4-in-one parkas (Children' Place). My first issue with that is that we will inevitably loose a part. Issue two is why pink and green camo?? Then there are a myriad of coats that would make my kids look like they belonged in the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue (not practical for the playground) or remind me more of a poodle than a coat. So I am left with Land's End (a place I normally find far to Pollyanna for me) http://www.landsend.com/pp/Weatherproof650fillDownJacket-70097_148671_7.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_70097
I like these because they have a good color pallatte and they are plain and simple - my issue is the price - $80 for a one year old that will have milk pored down it on day one feels a bit much, but I feel I am without other options.
There is also Company Store Kids
http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=HC59x&dept%5Fid=6536
theses are cute and reversible which is a plus but the girl option are only ok.

Anybody else have more success before I place the order tomorrow?