Posts filed under 'hip mama'
Happy Holidays
Last Chance to Save Before the Holidays
If you are looking for something for someone small in your life and also want to support a small business, Funky Monkey Baby Boutique is offering a special holiday deal for you…Check out the uber-snuggly Baby Legs and the amazing clothing from the ever-so-hip Tea Collection, and the wonderful Automoblox that allow the little one in your life to build a very hip looking vehicle!!
From December 1st until December 15th:
Shop online:
Coupon Code: HOLIDAY2008 and SAVE 20%
on all your purchases (Some restrictions apply. See website for details.)
December 10th, 2008
Ahhhh…it is indeed that time of year again, and if I wasn’t wallowing in my own puke-fest last week, I might not have noticed. I have news that there are at least two alternatives to sitting in long congested waiting rooms for a routine strep throat culture, or an awful ear infection. Shopko and Walgreens are opening clinics to help you quickly, and conveniently combat germs that have a hold of you. Wait—with nonexistent to minimal wait!!!
In Madison, Shopkowill open Meriter FastCare clinics this October–one at Shopko West on Moneral Point Rd, and the other at Shopko East on Zeier Rd.
Currently, Walgreens in Madison has two Take Care Clinics—one on S. Fish Hatchery Rd and the other on E. Washington Rd.
These clinics do take most types of insurance, but if you happen to be uninsured, the costs for being seen is generally between $50 and $80 for most things…wonderful!
Wow…this all sounds so fantastic! I, like you have probably waited in an urgent-type-care-situation that wasn’t life threatening, for a very long time….melting into the waiting room chair with a 103 degree temperature, not being able to walk or see straight….in fact, waiting until I felt I became life threatening (if only I could move my ill body). Maybe this will ease the massive pressures on existing emergency and non-emergency hospitals and clinics which would be great for everyone!
This sure will be a welcome resource to try once I find myself or my family with a really bad sore throat, sinus infection, bug bite, rash, etc!
These clinics also offer the flu shot if that is something you like to get this time of year…
Mama Jen
November 6th, 2008
Since I’ve got a plethora of family and friends expecting babies (one any minute now, literally! Go Baby Bradford!), I thought I’d share this snippet of info. It seems a good fit, on the opposite end of the spectrum, with my October 31 bra-fitting post (no pun intended).
Nursing mamas: You DEFINITELY will need and want a nursing tank or two. I had three of them and wore them religiously. I recommend the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tanks. They were supportive, didn’t give the uniboob effect, and allowed discreet nursing. Part of the strap unsnaps and pulls down (the other part stays over your shoulder and continues to support your breast), while the shirt part of the tank stays down, so don’t have to yank it up and expose your post-prego belly. There’s a hole ample enough for your nipple to peek through, but small enough that it doesn’t expose your breast.
Most people didn’t even know I was nursing when I was wearing my Glamourmom tanks. My cups ranneth over when I was nursing, but I even felt comfortable enough to wear one as a shirt (instead of just underneath a shirt) on sultry summer days. Speaking of hot summer days, Glamourmom also makes a nursing bra swim tankini.
The tanks come in several colors and patterns, and since my nursing days, Glamourmom has added several other products, including nursing tops, the Transition Nursing Bra Tank (more belly room, so it’s great if you’re still preggers!), and slip dresses.
Mama Kate
November 3rd, 2008
My god. I feel like a new woman. Now that I have a bra that actually fits. As you moms out there know, things change after having kids, from a rib cage that has permanently expanded, to cleavage that’s not so, well, perky. Yeah, I needed a little help.
Enter the two gals at Macy‘s in Madison, WI, who are trained fitters. Libby was my saving grace. Her first knowing comment was, your bra — the well-worn thing I walked into the store in — doesn’t fit. She measured me, then ran out to the floor to pick out a few sizes and styles and quite discreetly and quickly helped me try them on. I was a little self-conscious about that, but you know, I figure she’s seen it all. And probably then some.
I kid you not, the first two bras I tried on were perfect. Perfect! That has never happened, so I didn’t care that they were nearly $60 each. Usually bra shopping ends in a fit of curses, both at the fact that nothing seems to fit just right, and that, ugh, the lighting and mirrors in fitting rooms are so very unkind and lead to instant depression (I didn’t know I had all that cellulite there! Perhaps that’s how they sell all those fancy creams at the beauty counter… “We know what you saw in the mirror… here, try this!”).
Now I feel pert and perky and just right. No digging wires. My back instantly feels better. Lovely. And the fitting was free. Extra lovely.
My best free advice: Don’t wait until things settle in, i.e., you lose a little more baby weight. If you’re done nursing, get a bra that fits — NOW! Buy another properly fitting bra down the road if you plan to shed a few pounds (the fitter told me even 5 pounds could change the fit of a bra). Keep an eye on fitting events at your local department or underthings store. Often, they are for a cause (Wacoal, DKNY Underwear and Donna Karan Intimates teamed up for Fit for the Cure recent fitting events donated $2 for each woman fitted to breast cancer organizations). Or, you may get a special discount or offer: I bought 4 Wacoal bras, and have a 5th coming FREE.
Here are a few more tips I picked up from my fitter:
- You should have 3 bras: 1 for in the drawer, 1 for in the wash, 1 to wear. More, of course, are a bonus.
- Bras last about a year, depending on how many you have, and how you care for them (delicate or hand-wash and line dry are best).
- Don’t wear a bra 2 days in a row — it needs a day to recover it’s shape.
- Forget about white or nude colors. They show up super-bright under white t-shirts. Go for beige/skin tone. And of course, everyone needs a good black bra.
— Mama Kate
October 31st, 2008
Huge sale at GagaGoods that has brought you wonderful, mom-made and mom-approved designs by Madison mom Kathryn Adler. This wonderful company that donates 5% of your purchases to a children’s charity is full of wonderful gifts and items that you and your kids will love. This companies goodies were noted in Life & Style Weeklyas having the perfect tee for Suri Cruise when she was born—the Fairy Princess Snuggly. Info below:
What’s the deal? 50% off EVERYTHINGon GagaGoods.com!
Here’s your chance to snap up some great HALF PRICE gifts for the holidays — or any day! We have a lot of fun games by eeBoo, cute puzzles by Crocodile Creek and Mudpuppy, plush items by Rich Frog, board books by Simon & Schuster and Chronicle, and more. There’s a few fun Mom gifts left too, like notepads, stationery, books, and a couple mugs by Our Name Is Mud.
Don’t forget about our wonderful Gaga Goods clothing line too! Our onesies, tees and bibs are made in the USA from super soft 100% combed cotton and celebrate the new arrival, big brother or sister, birthday kid, and more. Our sizes range from 0-6 and are a great deal starting at just $7!
Why are we doing this? After five years of love and energy focused on GagaGoods.com, I’m ready to move on to new horizons. That means EVERYTHING must go! Please help me clear my storage shelves — and score a great deal for yourself! If anyone is interested in taking over as the new Chief Smile Spreader, let me know that too. I can forward you a business prospectus.
How long do you have? Even though summer is over, our coupon code: summersmiles will still give you 50% off EVERYTHING on our website while supplies last. Any orders totalling over $40 after discount will also receive a free set of Nifty Gifty Notecards too! But remember, when the goods are gone, they’re gone, baby!
October 28th, 2008
Let’s face it, most strollers have insufficient ability to shade our little ones from the strong sun, so what do we do? Shady baby saves the day!
Heather Leslie and Brian Winterling traveled around the world and noticed that people all over the world use parasols to shield themselves and their stroller riding little ones and wondered why the they were never seen in the US. Hmmmmm…
When they returned to Denver CO which, if you didn’t know, has about 300 sunny days per year…..they noticed families with blankets clumsily draped over the sun shades of their strollers to attempt extended sun coverage—they knew they had to do something!
The same year their child was born, their company Shady Baby was born too. They have two wonderful designs of parasols for your stroller which will give you that peace of mind while strolling in the sun with that little babe of yours. Thank you Heather and Brian!!
Mama Jen
September 29th, 2008
“I’m obsessed,” said Natalie Bass the first time I asked her how she finds the awesome fabrics and combinations for OrangyPorangy, her line of metro, retro and cool “fine ladywear.” Bass’s skirts in particular are arty, graphic, sometimes even sweet, but never boring — and as a mom on the run with little time for wardrobe/styling, I don’t want to be the latter if I can help it.
“I look for bold, graphic designs that catch the eye, but are not too busy. I love contrast, which is why I pick a lot of black and white prints. They also go with everything,” says Bass. She unearths her ever-changing array of fabrics everywhere, from antiques and thrift shops to e-bay for vintage patterns, and wholesalers for designer prints. “I look for what I like and what I would wear. My clothing designs are very simple; I let the fabric do most of the work. It makes having style easy. You can pair one of my bold, graphic skirts with a very simple top and a fun pair of shoes — everyone has those in their closet.”
“Most of the prints I pick also tend to have a vintage or retro feel. I love fashion from the ’60s; styles were so simple, yet so bold,” Bass adds. Currently she’s got two skirt lines — Poly, made of reclaimed fabrics “for your wearing pleasure,” and Opal, two-tiered with various fabrics — and Jane dresses, “simple, but never plain.” Frankly, I’d buy her stuff just for the cleverness with which she describes it all.
OrangyPorangy skirts flatter all body types. Really. “I have found that the A-line is a miracle of nature,” says Bass. “It looks good on everyone. It’s really comfortable, too.” While she doesn’t do commissions — wedding dresses, for example — she does do custom work, including making special sizes or lengths. She’s also considering making kids’ skirts.
I love that thanks to the cut and the fabulous prints Bass has chosen, I can wear strappy sandals one day with my skirt, and chunky shoes the next. And, of course, black; Bass tries to craft her skirts so they coordinate with that wardrobe staple.
You can find her skirts at OrangyPorangy.com (hey! free shipping all August long!) and around the country in a few hip boutiques. If you live in Madison, WI, on Farmers’ Market Saturdays you can visit her tent at the top of State Street and try them on for yourself. I dare you to walk away with just one.
The tagline on her fashions is reclaimed, recycled, really cute. And, truly, OrangyPorangy’s skirts make me feel terribly flirty in a modern, no-girlish-”frills” sort of way. Hmmm. I think I’ve found a new obsession, too.
Mama Kate
August 7th, 2008
Finding the right nursing chair — ugh, it’s a cunundrum. With decidedly modern taste, I looked high and low to find the right chair. Never did for baby #1; instead, we rocked in a rickety, noisy, rattan number I’d bought right after college. No amount of pillows made it just right comfortwise. And, after my c-section, and then later when great with child #2, it was darn near impossible to get out of. Yeah, there are lots of gliders out there — and they are probably the most comfortable option — but I just could find anything that didn’t scream “traditional.”
If only I’d found Glam Glider (above) by Jennifer Delonge. With a 360-degree swivel and rocking capacity, too. The chair and ottoman come in hip colors (including celery, steele blue, apple green, as well as several more subdued selections). Frankly, I think they’ll fit with any decorating style. Check out the site’s other offerings. The retro-inspired furnishings, kid-size Grace table and stools are just plain fun.
I must tell, you though, that what we did find, right before #2 arrived, was the awesome Storytime Rocker (below, in mocha) and ottoman made by Lawson-Fenning for Nurseryworks. We love it’s solid square aspect and swoop of the wooden legs, and the fact that it’s double-wide — it fits mama/daddy and child, side by side for those long sessions with the Richard Scarry tomes and other faves — and customizable in terms of colors, materials and leg finishes. There’s also a Sleepy Time version, with a higher back that’s perfect for nursing moms, especially during those zombified wee hours of the morning when junior’s at his hungriest and mom’s at her most tired.
Hoping to outfit your nursery in a modernist way? You’ll swoon over some of Nurseryworks other offerings — from cribs and dressers, to bedding and accessories and even super-cool letterpress posters (above) made for for the company by Onethread. Makes me want to have baby #3 just to reoutfit the baby’s room (just kidding, Dear!).
Mama Kate
July 17th, 2008
I like my jewelry to be bold, especially since I usually wear only one piece at a time. And, while it needs to have presence, it’s got to be less than gargantuan, i.e., not so chunky that it fills the entire short/little space between my shoulders and ears.
Enter Stubborn. Artist Melissa Stiles’ pieces are eye-stoppers (and, apparently, people-stoppers — I can’t wear my orange Olicook without being plied with inquiries). Stiles handcrafts her earrings, bracelets, cufflinks, rings and necklaces from stainless steel, aluminum and silver and fills them with opaque resins in hip colors (brown, red, orange, citrine, graphite, even turquoise, blue and pink).
Stiles’ pieces are simple statements. To me they’re perfect modern minimalist objects: They don’t overwhelm, but they demand notice. I like the contrast, too: a bold piece suspended on a delicate wire, the industrial shine of silver partnered with earthy texture and tones of the resins.
Stiles started out as an architect and then became enamored with metal smithing. Now she’s in Portland, Oregon — that hotbed of creativity — and is “no longer an architect, but still stubborn and still making jewelry.” That’s bold, too.
Mama Kate
July 14th, 2008
HipBabyGear.com has the most adorable little piano available in pink white or red to get your toddler started tickling the ivories!
This little piano will not only look good, it will help your child explore their musicality!
This site also carries my favorite gift to my friends who are having little boys…Pee Pee Tee Pees!!! Never heard of ‘em??? Absolutely invaluable to parents of baby boys!!!
Mama Jen
July 14th, 2008
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