MOMMA KNOWS… eating out with kids

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I can’t cook every night – so its great that we can take Max to our favorite restaurants and enjoy an evening out!

One of the most daunting things about being a parent is going to a restaurant.  What used to be such a joy and a night off from cooking is now overwhelming – just the thought of your child throwing food, causing a scene and the disapproving looks from others around is enough to keep you homebound until they are at least 6. I don’t believe it has to be this way – and I think enjoying a dinner out with my family is one of my favorite things.  Here are some of my tips as well as the accessories that have made eating out such a pleasure for me and my family.

1) Make yourself a regular chose 3 or 4 of your favorite restaurants and be loyal!  Be sweet and charming with all the staff – making sure to be excited to see everyone and asking after them and their families so that yours is the face they most want to see walking through their door.

2) Go early, like 6ish so that your little one doesn’t get overly tired, the restaurant won’t be full (so you won’t have to wait for a table or for food too long) also, you can get your babe home by bed time (perhaps they might even start to nod off on the ride home).

3) Bring snacks and put your child’s order in first so that he’s entertained (eating is an activity)and not getting hangry (huger always leads to anger).

4) Bring some toys.  Nothing too loud or electronic but a little car, rattle, a doll – something that can keep little one entertained and not bored.

5) Engage with them.  Yes, you want to have an adult conversation, but don’t forget to include your child – talk to them about what they’re playing with, what they’re eating, ask them if they want water and have them engage with the waiters and staff.  They want to be feel included, even if they’re not necessarily understanding or speaking yet.

6) Tip well.  Always tip at least 20% at least and if the baby is acting up a bit – add a bit extra.

7) Be gracious and apologetic to those around you when your baby acts up a bit.

8) If it’s nice out – outdoor dining is always the best option. The open air helps dull the noise if they’re being loud and if they get a bit fussy allows one of you to take them for a bit of a stroll.

9) Be considerate to staff.  When your child throws food all over the floor do your best to clean up after them. This goes a long way and illustrates mutual respect.

10) See below for my favorite eating out accessories – from the place mat that provides a clean surface for little one to eat off of (and rolls up neatly to fit in your purse) to the straw sippy cup (good for avoiding spillage) – these are my must haves:

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BabyBjorn soft bib $12.89 available at www.diapers.com

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Summer Infant “tiny diner” place mat $10.99 available at www.diapers.com

boonbowledit

Boon catch bowl $8.98 available at www.diapers.com

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Zoli straw sippy cup $15 available at www.diapers.com

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Zoli snack dispenser $17.89 available at www.diapers.com

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Sassy on the go utensils $3.99 available at www.diapers.com

 

MOMMA KNOWS… beauty tip

For those moms still breast feeding, congratulations – you have nature’s miracle product.  Breast milk not only keeps your baby healthy but it can be used topically to fix skin issues for both you and your little one.  Breast milk can clear up everything from your babies cradle cap, miscellaneous rashes, baby acne, even pink eye.  It works just as well on your skin, clearing up pimples and various other skin irritations from razor burn to bug bites!  If beauty giants could find a way to bottle this liquid gold they would and it would make billions.  So, pump it if you’ve got it and take advantage of its magical healing powers!

RUNWAY REINVENTION – the pop art comic trend

One of the greatest thing about working in fashion is seeing how one look on a runway can turn into a massive trend.  Sometimes you have to ask yourself who is influencing who.  The above shot is from Tom Ford’s 2013 Autumn/Winter collection in which he featured red carpet gowns emblazoned with the comic book Ka-boom style print – amazing how childhood memories continuously inspire even the most glamorous designers. Here are some of my favorite comic/pop art style selects for both our little ones and a few things for us too…

hmcomictopedit

H&M boys shirt $12.95 available at www.hm.com

marcuslupfernetcomicedit

Marcus Lupfer sweatshirt $380 available at www.netaporter.com

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Junk Food sneaker $29.95 available at www.gap.com

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Jimmy Choo heels $795 available at www.netaporter.com

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Zara kids t-shirt $9.90 available at www.zara.com

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Asos skirt $64.07 available at www.asos.com

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New Look clutch $17.78 available at www.asos.com

 

MOMMA NEEDS… the boyfriend jean

The perfect distressed boyfriend jeans are a must have!  They’re easy to throw on when running around town or to the park with your child.  The best thing, your little one CAN’T mess them up – they can only add to the distressed look.  So you can feel free to get them covered in dirt, paint or whatever they decide to throw or wipe on you, then later throw on a cute top and a pair of heels and head straight off to drinks with friends.  These are a huge trend right now and there is a boyfriend jean available from every designer, so you can be on trend and dressed down for the playground at the same time. Here are some of my favorites:

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Frame Denim jeans $209 available at www.netaporter.comcurrentelliottboyfriendeditrevolveCurrent/Elliott jeans $255 available at www.revolveclothing.comhandmboyfriendjeansedit     H&M jeans $39.95 available at www.hm.comzaraboyfriendjeanseditZara jeans $59.90 available at www.zara.comBlankboyfriendjeanseditshopBlank Denim jeans $98 available at www.shopbop.comasosboyfriendjeanedit      Asos jeans $67.63 available at www.asos.com

MOMMA NEEDS… the cross body bag

When starting out as a lowly fashion assistant at Allure magazine back in the late 90′s, a fashion legend turned to me as I was helping her and proclaimed, “Free your hands dear,” and it stuck with me ever since. How can we do anything well if our hands aren’t free? Yet, we run all over town bogged down by our handbags… While pregnant I fell in love with, then subsequently bought, the Givenchy Pandora bag, in orange, (seen in the picture above).  Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but I can carry it on shoulder or across body, leaving me hands free to carry all manner of things I laden myself down with, be it large garment bags from appointments, my son’s toys on a trip to the park, or my very favorite thing to hold, his little hand.  Also, carrying a bag across the body is so much better for us, because the weight we’re schlepping around all day, is more evenly distributed, so no more sore shoulder!!  Here are some of my top cross body picks:

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Givenchy bag $1,810 available at www.netaporter.comaldocrossbodyeditAldo bag $50 available at www.aldoshoes.commarcbymarcshopbopcrossbodyeditMarc by Marc Jacobs bag $278 available at www.shopbop.comseebychloecrossbodyshopeditSee by Chloe bag $495 available at www.shopbop.comphilliolimtargetbgedit2Phillip Lim for Target bag $44.99 available at select target stores crossbodymarcshopbopeditMarc by Marc Jacobs bag $598 available at www.bloomingdales.comcrossbodyrebeccaminkoffneimanedit      Rebecca Minkoff bag $195 available at www.neimanmarcus.com

 

 

 

 

 

MOMMA KNOWS… beauty tips for the sleep and time deprived

How to look like you mean business on 2 hours sleep.  Here are some of the best tricks of the trade I’ve learned from years of working with some of the top beauty experts in the business.  From the best concealer and under eye cream, to a tangle teezer that will get out the most stubborn knots in seconds (and works brilliantly and painlessly on your child’s tangles too) see below for my tried and true beauty must haves…

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Cle de Peau concealer $70 available at www.neimanmarcus.com    activemoinstbeautybareditDermalogica Active Moist $56 available at www.beautybar.com         toucheeclatyslbeautyeditYSL touche éclat $40 available at www.sephora.combaremineralspowderbeautyeditBare Minerals foundation $27 available at www.sephora.com           greatlastmaybellinesoapeditMaybelline mascara $6.09 available at www.soap.comroottouchuposcarblandiOscar Blandi root touch up $23 available at www.beautybar.comtangleteezeramazonbeautyeditTangle teezer brush $18.51  undereyediosephorabeautyeditDior Dior Snow eye treatment $73 available at shop.nordstrom.com        visinebeautysoapeditVisine eye drops $8.45 available at www.soap.comnarsduoeditNars blush/bronzer duo $41 available at www.sephora.com                                batistedryshampoobeautyeditsoap      Batiste dry shampoo $7.75 available at www.soap.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOMMA, PLEASE??? neon yellow

I LOVE a child in neon.  There’s just something so fun, bright and even a bit rock and roll about it.   Added bonus – a bright pop of neon makes it that much easier to keep and eye on them when they’re running around at the park.  Here are my top highlighter yellow picks!

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American Apparel top $16 available at store.americanapparel.nettargetneonskirteditOshKosh skirt $7 available at www.target.comnunununeonlegeditNUNUNU leggings $34 available at www.estella-nyc.comneonvanseditVans shoes $22 available at www.diapers.comgapneonvesteditGap puffer vest $39.95 available at www.gap.comneonetsydresseditSewn Natural dress $78 available at www.etsy.com                 neongapcordsedit           Gap corduroy pants $26.95 available at www.gap.comneonbabiatorseditBabiator sunglasses $22 available at www.diapers.com

 

RUNWAY TO RED CARPET REPORT – the sheer trend

Its coming up to awards season…  Who will wear what?  Here are some of my top pics I look forward to seeing on the red carpet.  Today I am highlighting the sheer trend that was everywhere during the spring/summer 2014 collections. Whether sleek and modern or lacy and   frilly we will be seeing a lot more skin from our favorite celebrity fashionistas…

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(left to right) Elie Saab, J. Mendel and Roberto Cavalli

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(left right) Marchesa, Naeem Khan and Naeem Khan

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(left to right) Monique Lhuillier, Calvin Klein and Elie Saab

 

MOMMA NEEDS… chic ballet flats

Every woman needs a great pair of ballet flats in her shoe arsenal…  Something super chic that allows you to be both comfortable and fabulous.  I could not live without my Chloe scalloped ballet flats.  Whether I’m schlepping around on market appointments, on set with celebrities or simply chasing my little one around the house, they are a necessity.  The key is to choose something special whether its a sparkle, a metallic, or just a beautiful design that elevates it from just functional to form AND function – here are some of my top picks.

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Chloe flats $475 available at www.netaporter.comtargetballetflateditTarget flats $17.99 available at www.target.comlouboutinflateditChristian Louboutin flats $895 available at www.netaporter.comaldoballetflateditAldo flats $29.98 available at www.aldoshoes.commarcbymarcballetflateditMarc by Marc Jacobs flats $250 available at www.shopbop.comtopshopballetflatedit      Top Shop flats $30 available at us.topshop.comvalentinoflateditValentino  flats $845 available at www.netaporter.com

zara flats $99.90 available at www.zara.com

Zara flats $99.90 available at www.zara.com

 

MOMMA WANTS… this hot shoe

I realize these fall outside of the realms of practicality.  I know I can’t wear them while chasing my toddler through the back garden.  And I don’t care.  They are beautiful and its good to want things…  Sophia Webster is a hot new shoe designer who may not be a household name (yet) but she is doing everything right.  I believe accessories can make the outfit – and these shoes can transform your casual denim look or your little black dress into a va-va voom look for a night out on the town… so book a baby sitter.