Momtrends

Momtrends Great Gift #13

2009-11-27T19:32:00.000-05:00

So technically you do need power to use this next gift pick, Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker. But technicalities aside, this will get your girls up and moving. I promise! This DVD combines classical dance and music from the timeless ballet The Nutcracker. The DVD deconstructs the ballet in bite-sized lessons.
After watching the San Fransisco Ballet dance, we see performers from the American Ballet and then pint-sized girls in tutus. The lesson: Dance is for everyone. The DVD is extremely professional--it's well edited and keeps clipping along. The series introduces ballet steps in basic terms and with lively demos. Last year I reviewed the debut ballet DVD Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake and it was a huge hot at my house and with Momtrends readers. This holiday season I highly recommend you add the follow-up DVD to your collection. Buy Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker on Amazon.com ($11.49)

Holiday Fashions and Savings From Ralph Lauren

2009-11-27T17:10:00.000-05:00

I'm simply mad fpr plaid this season. And no one does tartan for the holidays like Ralph Lauren. For Christmas finery, I recommend the two pieces shown. To find out more about them, plus learn how to get free shipping and 25% off your Ralph Lauren purchases read on...
Baby Tillie Tartan Dress in Black Taffeta ($195-$100; sizes 3 -24 mos)--this dress will be a treasure passed down in your family. For boys, I love the holiday plaid pant set with navy cardigan ($125 for set). Here's the scoop. You can get free shipping plus 25% off at RalphLauren.com 11/24 through 11/30/09. Use code: HOL2009 either online (RalphLauren.com) or in store. These special looks are not available online, so bring the code in to a Ralph Lauren retail store near you.

Friday Food: Pear & Proscuitto Stuffing

2009-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Whew! What a meal we had yesterday. The highlight had to be my pear and prosciutto stuffing. Moist, flavorful and distinctive. This is a side-dish you won't soon forget.

Ingredients
1 bag breadcrumbs
1 cup minced sage
3 bosc pairs peeled and diced
1 cup Madeira
1/4 cup currants
4 tsp olive oil
5 cloves garlic minced
4 oz proscuitto sliced in think strips

3 onions diced
3 eggs
3 cups turkey stock

Directions
In a large bowl, add breadcrumbs, sage and pears. Heat Madeira in a saucepan to a simmer. Add currants and remove from heat. Add to the large bowl. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a skillet and brown garlic for 3 minutes. Add proscuitto. Cook for 5 minutes on medium high add to big pot. Heat another 2 tsp. saute onions until soft. In a separate bowl, combine stock and eggs. Whisk together. Add to large bowl. Place stuffing in a large oven-safe dish. Cook at 425 for 20 minutes. Enjoy with turkey or any other fowl.

Can't wait to see what you were up to in the kitchen this week!

Happy Thanksgiving From Momtrends

2009-11-26T19:49:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to report spending time with family is trendier than ever! The turkey's been demolished and the kitchen is back in order. Time to focus all the things I'm thankful for. First, my beautiful family (Mr. Momtrends is reading to the girls right now)--they are full of energy and enthusiam. We've been blessed with health and good fortune this year.
I'm very lucky to be able to work from home (for the most part) and to have wonderful readers who support my blog. A special thanks to all the advertisers who help me to do what I love (write and report on trends). To celebrate this special day. I'm showing off some family art and a picture of my gorgeous turkey. Artwork courtesy of KidsBusyBox.xom and my four year old artist.

Momtrends Great Gift #12

2009-11-25T19:45:00.000-05:00

A great gift for the holiday should bring smiles. This knit caps has flair and a very high cuteness quotient. Put Zooni caps on your holiday shopping list and you can't go wrong. These hand-knit caps almost stop traffic they are so sweet. The brand made a name for themselves with floppy furry Mop Top Caps. New for 2010 is the cupcake hat ($32.50).
Now I ask you, are you not grinning when you look at this hat! Imagine it on your daughter or granddaughter. Because it's not so likely you are going to learn to knit in the next six weeks and whip up anything even half as adorable as this hat.Scoop them up at Natural Mom Gear.

Not to neglect the boys on this pick, here is the link to the Mop Top Animal Hat -Leo the Lion

Natural Mom Gear nor Zooni paid for this post. Products were shipped for review purposes only.

Dress Up Your LIB for the Holidays

2009-11-25T19:09:00.001-05:00

Smart moms always keep a well-fitting black dress in the closet. If you're looking for a way to dress up your little black dress for the holidays, I've found just the necklace at Anthropologie. Pretty as a posey, this necklace sparkles with faceted glass centers. The faux-silk blooms drip from a twisted ruby cord. ($38)

Thanksgiving Wine Picks from Supple Wine

2009-11-25T19:01:00.001-05:00

Just in the nick of time! Momtrends solves the "what to serve conundrum"...Here is the guest post from Mike Supple of Supple Wine.

The impending arrival of aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws causes plenty of pre-Thanksgiving stress; the last thing you want to worry about is what wine to serve with your culinary creations. Thanksgiving wine pairing can feel particularly daunting because of the wide variety of flavors involved – the average turkey day table is stocked with sweet, savory, herby, tangy and creamy foods. While the most important part of pairing wine and food is making sure you’re drinking something you like, a few quick tips will help you avoid any bitter mishaps and really make your cornucopia shine.
Wines with high acidity and a lot of fruit will work better with your foods, as they will accent and highlight all of the flavors. Conversely, wines with a heavy dose of oak or tannic acid generally overpower the food and fight with the flavors.

Wines That Work

Sparkling Wine – Most sparkling wine has great acidity, which gets the saliva going and helps to cut through the sweet and fatty foods. A light and fruity sparkling wine, like an Italian Prosecco, works well both before and during the meal.

Riesling – Delicious examples of this classic Alsatian and German wine can be found from Washington, California and New York. Ranging in styles from dry to sweet, the naturally high acidity and fresh apricot and peach flavors work well across many types of food.

Pinot Grigio – Crisp, dry and refreshing. One of the most popular wines in the US and for good reason – the light melon, apple and pear flavors combined with good acidity rarely compete with any dish.

Pinot Noir – If red wine is more your speed, then it’s tough to find a better Thanksgiving pairing than Pinot Noir. This wine is naturally tart with a lot of red cherry and cranberry flavors, and it often adds a touch of fresh herbs. Perfect with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes…you get the picture!

Zinfandel – A very bold wine that can work quite well on Thanksgiving due to its relatively low tannic acid levels and bright, concentrated fruit flavors. Powerful, jammy, fruity and delicious! Just keep an eye on the alcohol level – many Zins can get up to 16% or more, which, combined with the tryptophan in turkey, could put you and your guests to sleep!

Grenache (& Southern Rhone) – Grenache is a spicy grape with tons of cherry and blueberry flavors. Traditionally a component of blended red wines from the Southern Rhone (in France), you can also find it coming out of California and Spain (where it’s called Garnacha). Much like Zinfandel, this fruity, low-tannin wine is a pleasing match for any bold red wine lover.

Drinks That Don’t

Cabernet Sauvignon – Some vibrant, fresh Cabernets that are made to be consumed young will have enough bright fruit to work, but this is not the best holiday to break out your heavy Napa Cabernet. The big tannins will make the food taste bitter and flat, overpowering and fighting with everything on the table.

Chardonnay – You might think that the traditional buttery Chardonnay would fit in fine with the heavy gravy and creamy mashed potatoes. It could work, but butter in Chardonnay often goes hand-in-hand with oak. The sugar in sweet potatoes, stuffing and even cranberry sauce would kill an oaky Chard, making it taste sour. If you must have a Chardonnay, stick with a fruity un-oaked style that is very popular in Chile and Australia.

I hope you like this feature--we hope to do a monthly follow-up with Mike. Want to know more about wine? Follow him on twitter @supplewine and read his blog here.

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #11 & Giveaway

2009-11-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

Oh how I love Kickboard USA scooters. Let me start to count the ways. #1 they are incredibly fun to use. A two-year old can master the Micro Mini Kick ($79.99; four colors) in an afternoon. #2 the fun lasts. Your kids won't tire of this toy. My daughter has had her Mini for two years and still uses it every day in nice weather. #3 it's great exercise.

Of course there are a lot of scooters to pick from on the market. I pick Kickboard because these scooters are sturdy and easy to maneuver. The grippy handle feels great and the brake is intuitive (though my kids still use their feet too!). The nice wide base make it possible for kids to get both feet on board and the wheels are made to perform. When your child outgrows the Mini, step it up with the Maxi. This surf-style scooter ($149.99; two colors and t-bar option) has a joy-stick steering mechanism and will allow him or her to do more tricks and fancy turns. Be sure to add this to your shopping list this season!

We want to kick off the holiday shopping week with a big contest. In early October, I told my ad manager I was going to name the Kick Scooters as a top gift for the holidays. I'm thrilled that Kickboard USA came back to Momtrends with a sponsorship package. Not only are they supporting Momtrends through advertising, they are giving away two scooters!

Win it! Two lucky readers are going to get a jump on holiday gift-giving with a NEW scooter. We are giving away ONE MINI and ONE MAXI. To enter, visit the KickboardUSA.com here and check out the scooters. Leave a comment with 1.) which model and color is on your wish list 2.) one cool scooter feature.

For an extra entry, tweet this: @Momtrends KickboardUSA Giveaway.
For an extra entry, blog about this contest and leave a comment with the link.
Maximum number of entries will be three.

Be sure to add your contact email. Contest open to US residents ages 18 and over. Contest ends 12/10/09. Winner will be selected by random.org. Winners will be announced on a blog post. If winner fails to respond in three days a new winner will be chosen.

KickboardUSA is a paid sponsor and will provide the prizes for the contest.

All opinions expressed in the review are of the Momtrends editor.

Juicy Couture Kids--Fashion and Free Shipping

2009-11-24T14:04:00.000-05:00

Holiday dressing doesn't have to mean fussy. Juicy Couture sent me the holiday look book to review and I found two adorable looks that won't have your girl screaming in protest. What little person wants itchy fabrics and fussy designs! First pick: Juicy's Knit dress with leggings. The multicolor stripes top reminds me of Sonia Rykiel. Details, such as the goldtone scottie are tasteful and festive. Sizes 3-24 mos. ($98) A coordinating dress is also available for big sister. ($138)

Next up for your little angel, a matching two Crown Two-Piece set. I adore this. It looks so comfortable yet has a touch of holiday bling thanks to the allover goldtone polka-crown print. Again, kudos to Juicy for toning down the logo (not much of a logo fan here at Momtrends). Guess what else? Unlike that fancy velvet dress you were going to buy, this outfit is machine washable.

FREE ONLINE SHIPPING on orders over $100 with code GIVEMEJC.

Momtrends was not paid for this post, sadly I didn't even get to keep the outfits!

Momtrends Great Gift #10

2009-11-23T23:54:00.006-05:00

In a prefect world girls would love sports as much as tutus. Soccer would be as cool as Miley Cyrus and obesity wouldn't exist. Alas, it is an uphill battle as a mom to give your girl toys that will fire up her dreams not her insecurities. That's why I love the Go! Go! Sports Girls dolls. The motto of these plucky girls: "Dream big and go for it!"

Pick from Suzi the Swimmer Girl, Taye the Basketball Girl and seven other athletes in the collection. For $20.99 you'll be sending a message that sports are cool (and they are, I started playing soccer at age 5 and lacrosse at age 7) and being active is much more fun that boring old tv. Hey, whatever works. These plush dolls are about 14" and have plenty of details and accessories. Feel good knowing 5% of profits is donated to Girls Inc, a national nonprofit dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

Mommy Time Monday: Vick's Lunch and Spa Time

2009-11-23T23:54:00.005-05:00

Last week the folks from P & G lured me out with a promise of a spa lunch with my NYC bloggy pals and a massage--well twist my arm already. The catch? I had to listen to talk about mucus and phlegm.
We learned that the average kid gets between 7-10 colds a year and produces 750 ml of mucus during that cold--it pays to wash your hands often and try to avoid these bouts!

After lunch came the good stuff--chatting with the girls and making new friends. I was seated across from Dagmar, a new pal who is not afraid to ask questions or share opinions--sit near me any time. Then afterwards, Isa, Victoria and I hit the spa. a big fluffy white robe a fashion mag...I was in heaven. Sadly the massage was a bit on the oily side, but heck who can complain. It was a treat from Vick's. Good conversation and good food made it a fun outing.

Mommy-Time Monday is Sponsored by:

Vick's did not pay for this post, but did provide a lunch and massage.

Momtrends Great Gift #9 & Giveaway

2009-11-22T14:15:00.002-05:00

Playmobil play sets are a classic toy to fuel the imagination. Yes there are a myriad of tiny pieces, but that is part of the fun--its got amazing real-world detail. This holiday the Playmobil Take Along Construction would make a marvelous gift for your kids and guess what? Momtrends is giving one away...

Playmobil sent me the Playmobil Take Along Construction ($59.99 on Amazon) to test out. My dad is a civil engineer and works for a construction company--maybe that is why this toy appeal to me. The shop is a huge workspace--to store road signs and equipment your kids will need to repair roads, build bridges, and other construction projects. The details is amazing--one of the workers even has a little coffee cup. But like all Playmobil--set it up before the little ones get involved. Putting on all the stickers and assembling the parts can take a lot of patience. And you'll likely want to add a few trucks to make the play more fun--use your own or look into the complete line of Playmobil Construction Toys here. Moms love that when its time for dinner, everything stores back inside the set!Tote and carry thanks to the handle.

Win it! One lucky reader is going to get a jump on holiday gift-giving with a NEW Playmobil Take Along Construction Set. to enter, visit the Playmobil construction page here and pick out one other toy your kids would love. Leave a comment with the name of the toy.

For an extra entry, tweet this: @Momtrends Playmobil Giveaway http://bit.ly/78ozpV
For an extra entry, blog about this contest and leave a comment with the link.
Maximum number of entries will be three.

Be sure to add your contact email. Contest open to US residents ages 18 and over. Contest ends 11/30/09. Winner will be selected by random.org. Winners will be announced on a blog post. If winner fails to respond in three days a new winner will be chosen.

Momtrends was not paid for this review. Playmobil provided the prizes for the contest and one free review copy.

Kids Busy Box Review

2009-11-22T13:51:00.000-05:00

15 great crafts all in one box. Seems like the perfect solution to the long school-free holidays that are coming up. The KidsBusyBox Company sent me a Fall Collection box to test out and I got busy gluing and coloring with the kids over the weekend.
The first craft we tried was the T is for Turkey. It included colored feathers, beads and a sturdy turkey form to decorate. I was a bit miffed that I needed to supply my own crayons and markers (the box says EVERYTHING is included), and we were away from home so I had to run out to a local kids store to spend $10 on markers and glue (it's a high-end kids store what can I say!)

Back at home with glue and markers in hand we got busy tracing the T and then gluing on the feathers. All in about 20 minutes of fun. The next day we tackled the Kitty Whisker project. My daughter painted the "whiskers" (q tips) black with the black paint and paintbrush (both in the kit). As the whiskers dried we colored in the cat (a rainbow cat, naturally). Then when the whiskers were dry, we glued them on the cat. Excellent. You can scoop Fall sets on sale now for $18.99

My 4 y.o. adores this craft kit. And I'm much more likely to participate in crafts when all the supplies are gathered. The Winter Busy Box is now for sale ($21.99) My advice don't head to grandmas house without this and stock up on a few before the long winter break. The winter box also include 15 crafts, from Eskimos to Chinese lanterns.

Momtrends was not paid for this review. Products were shipped for testing purposes only.

Momtrends Reviews Simplehuman Sensor Soap Dispenser

2009-11-22T13:25:00.001-05:00

It's been a delightful weekend full of crafts, cooking and testing (plus lots of fun outdoors). All these projects have meant tons of hand washing. So its a good thin Simple Human sent me their new motion sensor soap dispenser ($29.99). My first impression: Why the heck would I want a soap dispenser that requires four AA batteries! But then I got to thinking...
every time I touch the soap dispenser I am spreading germs. If I can get the soap going without touching the dispenser I just might be better off.

The dispenser looks modern and sleek--it's a little top heavy when not filled to the top. And it does work well. Simple place your hands under the pump and you get a gentle stream of soap. The kids thought this was a very novel contraption. I'm still not sold--I really don't need anything else that requires batteries, but if you are really into gadgets this might appeal to you. Oh, you can also use it for handsanitizer and lotion. I tested the smaller model the simplehuman studio Sensor Automatic Soap Dispenser comes in other styles.

Simplehuman did not pay for this review. Product was provided for testing purposes only.

Saturday Deal Round-Up: 11/21

2009-11-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Holiday cards are a big tradition in our family. I'm always on the hunt for specialty paper companies that offer inspired designs. I'm happy to share the scoop that Pretty Printing is offering Momtrends readers 25% off all holiday orders. Use code: MOMTRENDS. I'm smitten with this Lattice & Stripes pattern--very Tori Burch!

Don't miss Oeuf's Baby sale. Spring and Fall designs are 40-50% off. My pick? The reversible hoodie.

Time for Toys! Target has the popular 7in-1 Maximus Bakugan for $34.99

Tees are 30% savings at Planet Mom! That's right, EVERYTHING IS ON SALE at www.PlanetMomTShirts.com through the end of November. Maybe "I'm a tweetheart?"

Totsy.com --moms best resource for baby gear and fashions at deep discounts. Weekend sales include Hape toys at 40% off and Nomie Baby car seat covers at 40%. Tori Spelling's new line, Little Maven goes up on Monday. Not a member yet? Join here.

Fat Brain Toys--Through Monday, November 23rd, get $5.00 OFF your next purchase of at least $25. Use promotion code NP-8238 during checkout to take advantage of this special offer.

Don't forget the flowers this Thanksgiving! FREE Thanksgiving Centerpiece Upgrade from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #8

2009-11-20T13:47:00.000-05:00

The fabric tents from Lucy & Michael are simply awesome. Children can completely loose themselves in play when tucked inside this roomy hideout. Having a play space that is chic as well as inspiring--that's something the whole family can celebrate.
Now I'm all for pillow forts and kid nests built under the dining room table, but there's something to be said about a tent that can stay erected day in and day out. Set this up and it'll serve as a clubhouse for your children. If you ever desire, you can tie it back up for storage (but why would you want to do that?)

We got this tent about two years ago for a Babble.com article I wrote. Get ready, the price is $320, but I've got to tell you it still looks fabulous and we still use it every week. We have concerts, meetings, giggle fits and story time in ours. For all you doting grandparents, or for moms who want to splurge on a big gift this year, I promise the Lucy & Michael tents will be a hit. The tents are handmade in Houston, TX and are 5 feet square and stand 5 feet tall when open; when closed they stand 6 feet tall.

Friday Food: Tatsoi

2009-11-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

This summer we spotted Tatsoi at our local market. I was stumped about the leafy green and did some research. Turns out this sweet vegetable is related to Bok Choy. Once I found that out, I decided to make an Asian stir-fry. Now it is a regular side dish on our table.

Ingredients
1 bunch Tatsoi cleaned and trimmed of stalks at the bottom
1 clove crushed garlic
1 tsp seasame oil
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp grated ginger

Directions
Boil a large pot of water. When water is at a rapid boil, add cleaned tatsoi greens for about 2 minutes. Blanch (drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process). Set aside.

Heat oil, add garlic and stir for abt. 1 minute. Add ginger, stir 30 seconds. Add greens, stir about 5 minutes. Add soy sauce. Remove from heat.

This is an excellent pairing with salmon or another fatty, meaty fish. Enjoy!

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #7

2009-11-19T23:16:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a series of movies the penguin is now one of the hottest animals around. From plush toys to animated series, these waddling little fellows are everywhere. For me, I'd pick this clever pop-up toys as a favorite. This Percy Penguin Jack in the Box from Jack Rabbit Creations is old school in its construction, but trendy in its design.

This toy is made of wonderfully vintage materials (not a ton of plastic--horray!) and is a smile-inducing find. The plush penguin will be a new best friend in your house. Percy Penguin plays "Puttin' on the Ritz"when you spin the dial. Ages 18 mos.+ ($32). And you guessed it...no batteries required.

Jack Rabbit Creations did not pay for this post.

Trendy Thursday: Stella McCartney for Gap Kids

2009-11-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Momtrends braved the crowds on 5th Avenue in NYC to check out the hottest new designer + big brand marketing event: Stella McCartney for Gap Kids. Yes indeed there was excitement in the store. The display was wrecked as trendy NYC moms sorted through the offerings.
The line was done in muted tones: gray, shell pink and soft green. Most of the special pieces were well on the way to being sold out. Overall I'd say the line was strongest when it came to embellished tees and knit sweaters. For boys, the Sgt. Pepper jacket looks great--but be warned it runs small and has a very snug fit (probably not for the playground).

What did I buy? The corduroy short ($48) which I will layer with the tights we already have, and a "necklace tee" that is now soldout online and in store.

What did I notice? Tons of petite moms snapping up the boys and girls cloes in size XL to wear themselves. I also noticed some of the fabrics were itchy and there were tons of loose threads--not the best quality, but definitely high style. Overall I give the debut collection a solid B. And I wish there were more embellished tees..maybe the next go round.

Want more? Check out this Wordless Wednesday Post.

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #6

2009-11-18T10:39:00.001-05:00

The family that plays together stays together. Yet, board games can be long and boring (especially with little kids). When I saw the Chicky Boom game at Toy Fair, I knew I found a winner. This games is designed for 2-4 players and helps kids develop steady hands.

The wooden game from Blue Orange is easy to master. Load up the see-saw until it balances (half the fun) and then take turns removing chickens, wagon wheels and hay bales. When out of balance, everything tips--boom! The individual pieces are also fun to play with. And like all the toys in the Momtrends 2009 Gift Guide...NO BATTERIES REQUIRED. Buy Chicky Boom on Amazon.com for $21.95

The $34 Christmas Card

2009-11-18T10:16:00.000-05:00

Mr. Momtrends and I were thinking about our holiday card last night and we pulled out an inspiration file. In it was this great-looking tree of life card from Bernard Maiser. So I went to bernardmaisner.com to check it out. Turns out this card is $34...for a single card.
Since we order a couple hundred cards, that would be oh....more than $6000 to send greetings to our friends. Now I'm sure this card is "highly labor intensive, requiring up to eight press runs,"--but really in this season of people reeling from the recession I can't imagine who is sending these out. There was some good news, a less-fancy version is $70 for a set of 8 (and it includes envelops). And if you are interested, the most expensive card I found on his site was a $45 Wheel of Life Card. I think we'll stick to the lovely selection from places like Tiny Prints (starting from just $.69 each!) How much would you spend on a card?

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #5

2009-11-17T17:04:00.001-05:00

Every day is a party when you've got the right toys on hand. The classic Schylling tea set has been around for almost 30 years. This season I'm fond of this vintage-looking 13 piece set. Reminiscent of a summer garden party this toy set makes me want to whip up scones and invite all the dolls in our house to tea.
Girls 2 and up will flip for this gift and delight in the imaginative stories that surface from pretend play. This pretty tea set includes service for four and a serving tray. Tea cup measures 1.3/4" tall. Schylling children's tea set is $17.99 on Amazon.

Schylling did not pay for this post.

Momtrends Loves Oeuf Squeeze Me Mittens

2009-11-17T16:52:00.001-05:00

Hugs and hand holding are some of the big perks of motherhood. Combine the two with these adorable Squeeze Me Mittens ($60) from Oeuf. Why wait for the holidays--start the fun now with this adorable find.

Made of 100% Alpaca (made in Bolivia) this hand warmer is also a heart warmer. It's two mittens in one--a pair of adult-sized mittens with a pair of kid-sized mittens sewn on. Available in cool green, dark pink and gray. One size fits most.

Why? Because one day they just might not want to hold your hand. I'll take all I can get right now.

Oeuf did not pay for this post.

Momtrends Great Holiday Gifts #4

2009-11-16T22:59:00.000-05:00

Who needs batteries to go fast? This gorgeous roadster from Playsam (Germany) won't sit still for long. This car is simply irresistible and could it look any cooler. I want to drive this, I really, really do. Since I realize most parents aren't going to shell out $400 for this toy, I've got options.
The 940 mm (37") car will make any car lover drool. This is a ride-on toy for the jet set. Playsam's classic Roadster Saab design is based on the very first Saab -- Sixten Sason's prototype 92001. The steering wheel is made of wood and metal just like the old sports car steering wheels. Not suitable for children under 12 month of age or for 40 year-old dads. Order from Fjorn.com.

Can't swing the cost? Try the Streamliner Rally Car - Black ($56) this is a tiny 5" push toy. Still gorgeous, still green and plenty of fun.

Mommy Time Monday: Gyrotonic Training at Kinespirit

2009-11-16T22:37:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I had my first Gyrotonic session at Kinespirit. When it comes to fitness, I'll give anything a try once. Some things work better for my stressful and wild schedule. Pilates, running, yoga--these are all for me. Weightlifting, DVDs, spinning, not so much. Gytrotonic excercise? A definite yes.
Juliu Horvath is the founder of the Gyrotonic movement (read more about him here). He has trained a few disciples in his method of using weight and pulley based equipment to get a complete workout that lengthens, strenghtens and tones (and what mom doesn't love that!).

I found the movements fluid--it was dance-like at times. The motions are very internal, and require focus. These demands appeal to me--it's a little escape from my mounting list of chores and obligations. I trained with Kinespirit Co-Director Jennifer Daly. Jennifer (that's her in the picture above and training me) is a zen-master when it comes to all things fitness and is extremely gifted at giving clear and incisive instructions. My 45-minute trial session left me feeling like I had given my back a little rehab. Hunching over a laptop is not kind on a body--Gyrotonic seems like a just reward. This system is meant to build flexibility, coordination, and balance and is said to be a great way to rebuild after injury or prevent an injury from occurring.

New Yorkers should definitely look into the zen-like Kinespirit studios. Calm and warm, this is a little fitness haven for the harried mom. Kinespirit (212-228-5787).

Mommy-Time Monday is Sponsored by:

Kinespirit did not pay for this post, one session was provided free.