Style is where the bag is

I am loving the "War" bag from Beckel Canvas, $65. My only issue I do not need another another bag. See the full line at beckelcanvas.com.

Cushion the Blow

So when I decided to remove the carpet out of the boys playroom and replace it with those interlocking foam mats I did an hours worth of research that someone else should benefit from...

#1. Stay clear of the kiddie mats that have the shapes, alphabet or number cut outs. They are a pain in the ass. The letters and numbers never stay in and it makes it even harder to clean.



#2. There are different thicknesses. I vote for 5/8". That should be the thinnest you go other wise you are wasting your money.

#3. Do your homework. There are a lot of companies out there selling these mats for home gym and playrooms...there for there are a lot of different prices for the same product.

WHO WON?

Softtiles.com

WHY DID THEY WIN?

a. The foam tiles did not come in prepacked sets. Meaning I could order as many as I wanted. Greatmats.com required me to buy the tiles in packs of 20. I needed 25 tiles so that would have forced me to buy a ton I did not need.

b. 2X2 size. The larger 2x2" size is the way to go. They cover more ground and stay together better.

c. Color Selection: They had a great color selection and really nice examples in their photo gallery.

d. Arrival: I ordered on a Monday and they were at my house by Friday night.

WHAT I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOW:

a. I misordered the edge pieces. By the way...don't skip ordering the edge pieces. They are $1/ea and make a huge difference in how the mat looks. Make sure you order correctly.



b. I also misordered the tiles. Instead of a full checkerboard I have an extra brown tile creating a brown plus in the middle. I thought I ordered correctly so I can't figure out what I would have done differently or I might have been shipped one mat that is the wrong color. Not sure.

BUMMER:
The biggest issue I have with this product...not the company is that no one had a great selection of colors and thicknesses with free shipping. Sears did have free shipping but the mats only came in blue and black...meathead gym colors that is. The shipping on this cost me $30.00.


NOT COMPETITIVE:
Wondermat.com: This company had the highest prices of all for the exact same product.

OVERALL:
I am glad I did my homework and the product from softtiles.com is great. To cover a 10x10 space was 25 2x2" squares with edging ended up being a little over $200.00

Act Cheap

I have come across some decent cheap sites lately and I need to make a running list...( I apologize in advance that i can't get this to format properly to save my life.)

Venus.com: Mostly Cheesy item, think Real House Wives of California, but there are some good one offs in there.



WorldMarket.com: you have to dig but there are some gems in there for outdoor / indoor house stuff.I am totally crushing on this outdoor pouf.













Tonicliving.com: extremely great pillows. Think mod palm beach. Small selection but really affordable.










Spool72.com: it is Little House on the Prairie Meets Etsy but doesn't look like you made it yourself clothing and accessories.






gr8gear.com: If the owners of this site are reading this...know I mean this with love. Invest in quality photography of your product. If Country Living Magazine did not feature this blanket no normal non military, non bunker, compound building person would visit let alone order from you guys. I however will be back for the Swiss Army Blanket with its sweet price tag of $18.99."Oscar Mike."

Spring Chicks

The cutest cupcake variation I saw seen yet! These will be on my table on Sunday.
Click here for the recipe

I just got a great little scoop that I wanted to share with all the moms out there...

Buzz Marketing Group just put out a great opportunity for high school and college students to make money and build their resumes. They are scouring the country for the just the right brand ambassadors for their new client (which is totally hush, hush right now). The opportunity even includes a Brand 101 weekend experience- all expenses paid in Philadelphia this summer. And did I mentioned this is a paid job? Up to at least $750. There are a limited number of spots for these sought after opportunities with Buzz so don't delay.
Know a high school or college student that would be interested? Have them take this survey to qualify:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22C8XXLCJPL

Who is Buzz?
Buzz Markeitng Group is in the business of finding out what teens what. The very thought makes my head spin but since the founder Tina Wells started her company at 16 she knows exactly how important the teen opinion is and how to get it for her fortune 500 clietns. Flash forward a few years later and the company is still leading the pack and being dubbed the "teen whisper" of the marketing industry.

Have you rubbed oatmeal on your kids today?

Over a giant cup of mocha hazelnut coffee at Parc I got the low down today of how to cure your little ones dry skin for dermatologist that is about to launch her own all natural skin line. My oldest gets patches on his legs and arms so my Pediticrian prescribed a steroid. This worked in the beginning but has failed to be the long term answer. I asked our expert what I can do and this is what she told me:

She said that steroid that I am putting on my little one is all wrong. First start with A&D ointment which can be found in your local CVS or Grocery store.

Once you get a handle on the situation Aveeno Baby products are what she recommends for keeping the dry skin blues from coming back. I threw a bunch of Aveeno products in my shopping cart at the grocery store tonight from the calming bath soak to the eczema therapy lotions. The boys and I are all stocked up and will be ready to show off our baby smooth skin by the time we hit the beach.

P.S. The little secret I can't wait to try: She also recommended taking regular oatmeal, putting it a pair of stocking and using that as a little scrub brush in the bath. Works miracles she said.

Is that Natalie Portman...no its you!

This weekend I was "brunching" at PARC in Rittenhouse with the rest of the world. A few friends were discussing their gown options for the Young Friends of the Art Museum Winter Gala when one girl said: "I like my dress but it is a little mother of the bride." Record scratch, siren, 5 alarm! Whoa. Who buys a dress with the understanding that it makes them look like MOB? We have to take back our busy lives people. Philly already suffers greatly from a lack of style. The overall average is constanting being dragged down by the numerous fashion design students trying to out crap each other with their creative misguided creations. Oy Vey kiddies, stop hurting my eyes, get a mirror and listen up.

This event combined with a purging of my personal closet made RenttheRunway.com all the more attractive when it popped up in my inbox. I love my closet. I have some real gems in there but I also love to keep my assortment fresh. This means that most my special occasion dresses get worn once maybe twice if I am lucky. This equals great memories and wasted cash.
Rent the Runway lovingly pimps over the top expensive numbers for your event without the commitment and high credit card bill. Why not rent a $700 dress for $200 or $1,200 number for $150? I know what you are thinking...I can find a great dress for $200. EHHH wrong. Good dresses go for at least $350 and up these days. Believe me I wish I was wrong but sadly these are the times we are in. A decent frock is gonna cost a decent wage. And for you single girls a good dress is the difference in snagging an investment banker type vs. an accountant type. I think you can do the math on that one for yourself. How it Works

Not sure where to start...Rent the Runway treats you right. They sort their wares by size, color, event, price, designer...etc. And for those of you that have to shop with a gaggle of girls that come with a gaggle of opinions they have you covered. Ripped from the fashion head lines they provide you with style and trend boards. Which will serve you 10 times better then that yappy girlfriend with the crappy boyfriend stories. Tell her to leave it to the reality TV stars and get her act together.


What was that you said...in a pinch with an important event rapidly approaching...don't pile your posse in the car and head for the mall. Check out their Available this Weekend section.

So for those of us that have events with the same crowd over and over again and have to rotate the options constantly don't get new friends get Rent the Runway. Let them hate you and leave them wondering how the *bleep you are affording all these Legers, Ferrettis and Proenza Schoulers. Is that Natalie Portman...oh no its you! Just tell them you got a raise for being freaking awesome and it will be our little secret.

xoxo
Philadelphia Mama

Oh where, oh where has my Doggie World gone.

The infamous Doggie World where pet owners would drop their beloved furry best friends off before hitting the airport has left us. Almost over night Operation Ava has popped up in its place. This kiddie friendly looking spot is a no-kill, animal rescue, grooming and pet store all in one. This revamped doggie haven is brought to you by the same owners of the bubble gum colored high price Doggie Style Boutique owners Goldfard and Guiterrez. I find it interesting that they don't have their names on any of their brand websites...that is so un-philly Philebrity like of them. Rittenhouse-ites will remember her doggies running around her Leehe Fai boutique. Can't say I miss the boutique since she refused to take back a pricey Tracy Reese number that fell apart after one wear. Not the best in customer service lets just say.

However it is not about the owner and all about the animals so I will assume she is redeeming herself with Operation Ava. Let's just hope she is smart enough to keep the murals in the play yard. So check it out for yourself at their open house this weekend:

What: Young animal lovers learn about pet care and meet furry friends at the new no-kill shelter.
Why: Adorable cats and dogs — need we say more?
When: Sun., 4-7 p.m.
Where: 858 N. Third St. (215-240-1240)

Please don't forget about Chic Petique for your puppy needs. They have been a No. Libs staple long before the place became kinda safe and very trendy.1040 N 2nd St # 401, Philadelphia, PA 19123-1562
(215) 238-0981 ‎

No Libs Rocks for Kids

It is turning out to be a rock and roll Saturday for kids in Northern Liberties. Kearny Public School is playing it up to it hipster neighbors this weekend with its Kids Rock Benefit show. So after your little ones take their disco naps check out the all ages show ($10/adult, $5/youth) from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

The Line up:

The Joe and Lara Show *true legends among the local kiddies, Girls Rock Philly (who I have been dying to see) and Queens of Heart.

All money raised from the Kearny Kids Rock Show will be used to
purchase instruments and supplies for the Kearny music program.


Saturday March 5th
3:00pm � 5:00pm
2424 E. York Street, Suite 122, Phila PA 19125


For more information to find out how you can help, email
kearnyschool@gmail.com.

The Tree House Play Cafe just assured us we will not be moving out of the city any time soon.

What local kids location in the burbs had me dying to get back to the peace and quite of the the city? That would be The Tree House Play Cafe in Chestnut Hill. As soon as we got there I realized that we had made a terrible mistake. This was so not the morning I had in mind. The place way small, overcrowded and so disappointing.

How could I lead my family astray this far? Well I will tell you. I just realized when I went to grab pictures to add to the blog how misleading they are. In fact there is no climbing equipment, train table or cute little play kitchen like they show in the picture below. That giraffe must have moved on to greener pastures because he wasn't there either.


The atmosphere reminded me of classroom that just found out they were having a substitute and early dismissal after a round of pixi sticks. The chaos wasn't cute, fun or the least bit enjoyable. The place is a hybrid. Part cafe, part play area and everything is way too small. You start by being smooshed in the check in area which is packed with parents and little ones. Then you go into the "cafe" part which is a sea of overweight suburban moms in sweatshirts zoning out and pretending to watch their children. Unfortunately I will be standing since the moms don't really get up much leave very little turn over of the tables. I found one that was missing the chairs but at least I had a place to put the car seat. It was right next to a mom that had her nose in her laptop. She looked up at me once with one of those interrupt my "me time" and I will kill you looks. So we didn't really chat it up.

We threw our jackets on the floor...since that was the only place for them and my husband and son headed into the play area. The play area is actually the smallest area in the place. The play area was filled with colliding, coughing, runny nose kids swirling around different mom cliques sitting on the floor. As far as the toy selection it pretty much resembled a grocery store the night before a major snow storm. Anything you really wanted they were out of. The play kitchen was bare because one little munchkin had all the wooden food in a wagon and was taking her time wheeling it around and around the small play area.

What they are not showing is all the merchandise that is throw in front of the hand washing station. If fact I didn't even see this until we were leaving and I was about 4 feet from it.



This train table...totally not there



The most disappointing thing I noticed was that very few parents were actually playing with their kids. The Tree House Play Cafe is basically a dumping ground for suburban moms.

Oh and how could I forget the woman that was flashing everyone while she was falling asleep breast feeding. I so did not need to see that. These women made me look like mom of the year.

These stacking blocks...totally not there.

Baby Slinger: an impossible task

Do I hate baby slings or do baby slings hate me? Am I the only one that can't figure out how to walk around in complete bliss with one of these things. No matter what brand, style or size the process always feels like stuffing an elephant into a bean pod. My babies look smooshed, cramped and any thing but comfortable.

The BoBa: This company expects we to coax my little one into hanging on me like a monkey so that I can swing them across my back, get there legs in the slot and then buckle us together. I bought it because the baby can be on your front and your back. Ahhhh no shocker that I fail this one hardcore.

This past month I have been unsuccessfully road testing The Peanut. Well the fabric is about as rough as a peanut and basically swallows Oliver whole. Not comfortable and I looked nothing like the smiling women on the box with their make up and blown out hair. I looked like I got hit by a tornado by the time I got him off and the sling off me. Today I was able to put him in it only to take him right back out. We never made it out of the nursery.

Next on our tour is the K'tan baby carrier. The how to book is like a diner menu with a million variations and options on the same position. The interesting thing about this one is that it comes with an Obi belt in matching jersey fabric (and a matching hat). I am not really sure what to do with this Obi belt but my husband insist it is part of the overall process. I will say this is the one I want to work out the most. I keep trying it over and over again. But like all the other I have to prep myself hardcore. I lay back on the couch, criss cross the fabric around Oliver like mama spider and hope...pray that when I stand up I did it right and that at some point I will be able to take this contraption off. Again I look and feel nothing like the picture shown when I am all K'tan'ed up. Today I was able to keep it on for a whole 5 minutes...progress.

The winner of worst in fabric is Hug-A-Monkey. I have read the testimonials on the site and again I just don't get how I am the only one in America that buys these freaking things and is not grinning from ear to ear in love with the thing. I bought two different sizes of this one. The only thing this is going to make is a well intentioned hand me down to my cousin's baby.

So I guess it is back to the Bjorn and I will dream of the expensive Ergo...

If my kids slept I would do this to them....

My aunt forwarded me an e-mail today with the most creative thing I have seen in a long time: Mila's Dreams. By the number of Facebook fans creative mom Adele has I quickly see I am late to party when it come to admiring her work. I don't know if I am more in love with her work or the fact that her baby sleeps through her creations. Both have me in awe especially since you will hear my harp on how little my kids sleep. Well Maybe I can try this with my dog! You better believe I am already planning next year's holiday card after seeing this.
Like Mila's Dreams on Facebook

Is the secret to eating out in the placemat?

I am one of those moms that stares at relaxed families in restaurants in complete awe and envy. Eating out is not a relaxed situation with my crew. From the moment we sit down it is like a NASA countdown until things get out of hand. 3 minutes to enjoy the new location, 1 minute until I need to clear all the "weapons" off the table, 2 minutes I start to look around nervously for the waitress and now T-minus 4 minutes until Henry's melt down.

Ok so I am exagerating but to me that is what it feels like. We rarely take Henry out unless it is warm weather and we can sit outside away from other, with lots to look at, and a clear evacuation route.

The other day I came across Get Set Placemats from HelloHanna.com


I think if I whip these placemats out right when I see things starting to go down hit it just might do the trick. My dream is that these placemats can safely get my crew all the way to dessert. These little placemats will hopefully keep my little guys busy just long enough for someone else to cook me a meal and for me to get out a few sentences about my day to my husband. Here is to dreaming, good planning and the UPS getting these to my door as soon as possible.

Necklush - Why I don't own one.

AHHH I love Necklush. It just fits my life style. I feel the same way about Necklush as I did about the ponytail mowhawk...finally a way to dress up a dressed down look.

Necklush takes well planned color combos of printed jersey - cuts them like angel hair pasta and Bam you have a hipster neck piece that can be twisted into 3 different looks. They are my go to gift for my young hip friends but sadly my own personal closet is without a Necklush. I hit the site once a month, check out the inventory, fall in love and then....I get paralyzed by all the options. It is almost like if I buy one the mystic of having one will disappear. All I want to do in a pinch is throw on a plain T, a great pair of jeans and a Necklush and call it a day. My own indecision is holding me back from completing my hipster look. All the crap I waste my money on and I won't buy the item I really want...it is sad really. Oh and don't try to make one at home...it will end in a bulky disaster...trust me. Don't let my issues keep you from your Necklush
necklush.com
Like them on Facbook