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back to school picks for mom

Back to School Picks for Mom

GEAR, style By August 20, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

The end of August marks a special time.  (And not only because the fall fashion issues are so thick).  With the little ones returning back to school for a new year and a fresh start, Moms can’t forget that they deserve a bit of a refresher too.  You get them to school.  You’re the activity chauffeur and playdate secretary.  School lunch chef, homework enforcer.  We know that’s just a few of your duties.  Here are a few of our Back to School Picks for the moms out there.

Back to School Picks for Mom

1.  Shoes: Gentle Souls, (a Kenneth Cole brand) are comfortable, practical and stylish.  And if you like science, their technology is based on displaceable solids comprised of – deerskin lining, NASA developed memory foam called PORON, flax seeds pillows &  rubber soles. Bottom line, they are so comfortable!  www.gentlesouls.com

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Best Baby CDs

GEAR, toys By August 14, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 5 Comments

It is well-established that music is beneficial for children’s mental and emotional development, even in the womb. Also, music is a great way to help baby drift off to sleep…and mom, too! Here are some of the best Baby CDs out there right now, all are available through Amazon and other outlets.

Rockabye Baby. For those of us who don’t want to sacrifice our hipness or adversely influence our childrens’ brain development by exposing them to too much silly kids’ music and cultivate some style and culture…it’s Rockabye Baby! You saw it on Ellen Degeneres and other places; celebs love these Baby CDs, because they literally rock! Your favorite songs by your favorite rock, pop and even some R&B artists, such as Coldplay, Bob Marley, the Beatles, Green Day, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, etc., are all on here. Sure, lullaby versions of your favourite hit songs can get Junior to crash for a nap, and subliminally you’ll be telling him, “Just say NO to bad music!”

Disney Babies: Lullaby Album. This is a must-have in every nursery CD player or MP3 playlist. The best Disney songs as lullabies, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Jewel, Lullaby. For those of us who love Jewel’s sweet, plaintive, ethereal yet earthy voice, this is an awesome choice. Jewel recently became a mom for the first time, but this album of old-fashioned classics and new selections is a great listen for the nursery.

Baby Einstein, Lullaby Classics. Baby Einstein is another awesome child-development audio tool, with a large body of work to choose from. All of it is ultra creative, hip, and worth buying, but if you want a lullaby collection of classical music (which has been shown to boost brain development in babies), choose this one. Mozart at his best and sweetest, your baby will love it, and you will, too!

Do you have some favourites? Please let us and our readers know below! You can also tweet us at @urbanmommies.

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Dressing Your Boys

GEAR, style By July 30, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

Some boys will only wear ‘Athletic Clothing’.  Stripes, logos, numbers.  Hmmm.  Not always a stylish choice for boyswear.  Why not have a rule, shall we, that sports clothes are for, well, playing sports, and cool, cute, hip clothes are for going out in public without a ball/racquet/bat in hand.  I’ve never understood the hockey jersey thing (especially for grown men and women.)  Why would you wear a boxy jersey bearing a professional hockey player’s name on the back?  Your own name, ok…  Same opinion for little boys’ sporting attire.  If you earned it by playing a season of T-Ball, sure.  But to put Walmart’s logo and year of inception on his back because you think your kid looks athletic?  No.

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Workout Song Playlist

fitness, GEAR By July 27, 2012 Tags: , , 1 Comment

UrbanMommies loves music.  But when it comes to cardio, Wynton Marsalis and Beethoven just don’t cut it.  When workouts become a larger part of our lives, our music might need to be tweaked.  Our 3 Fitness finalists have some suggestions that have kept them melting the fat.  Feel free to add your fav workout songs below.

PRESENTING…. The UrbanMommies Workout Playlist

  1. Piece of Me  (Britney Spears)
  2. One Night Only (Dreamgirls Soundtrack)
  3. Hey Ya (Outkast)
  4. Hot ‘N Cold (Katy Perry)
  5. Behind these Hazel Eyes (Kelly Clarkson)
  6. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers)
  7. Mamma Mia (Soundtrack)
  8. Bust a Move (Glee Cast Version)
  9. Marmalade (Christina Aguilera)
  10. Walk Away (Kelly Clarkson)
  11. My First Love (Craig David)
  12. Dangerous (Elijah Kelly)
  13. I’m a Slave for You (Britney Spears)
  14. Crack the Shutters (Snow Patrol)
  15. I’m a Be  (Black Eyed Peas)
  16. Please Don’t Stop the Music  (Rhianna)
  17. Gold Digger (Kayne West)
  18. When Love Takes Over  (David Guetta)
  19. Single ladies  (Beyonce)
  20. Papa was a Rolling Stone (George Michael)
  21. In Da Club (50cent)
  22. Thunderstruck (AC/DC)
  23. Anything by Pink
  24. Single Ladies (Beyonce)
  25. She Wolf  (Shakira)
  26. Poker Face  (Lady Gaga)

    Available at iTunes.

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What’s in my bag? Ann Gallery

beauty, GEAR, style By July 18, 2012 Tags: , , , No Comments

We spoke to PR Pro Ann Gallery and convinced her to ‘spill’ the contents of her stunning Goyard monogrammed purse.  She’s lucky my initials are different or I would have nabbed it.

1.  The cult hair care line Black 15 in 1 recently launched travel sizes of its amazing Twice a Week Shampoo and Conditioner and Miracle Hair Treatment – I keep the 3 Oz hair treatment spray in my purse so things don’t get too out of control on drizzly Vancouver days.

2.  My bag by Goyard.

3. Shortly after we met, my husband Ian gave me a lovely Shamrock Charm in honour of my Irish roots (or was it my feisty red-headed nature?!).  The charm lives on my key chain for good luck.

4.  I can’t get enough of Steaz sparkling green tea, especially the Raspberry and Lemon Lime flavours.  So refreshing!

5.  I’m addicted to CND Shellac manicures and keeping Solar Oil in my purse and using it regularly on my nails and cuticles maintains my mani for even longer than the promised 14 days!

6.  I keep in my purse a quick, fun and portable game like Spot it! to help kill time with my 10 and 11 year old sons between appointments, practices and playdates.

7.  I’m a lip gloss junkie and the sparklier the better! On a recent trip to Japan I picked up RMK’s Gloss Lips N in Holographic Orange and now it’s a staple in my purse.  I also snapped up RMK’s 15th Anniversary Cheek Palette – it makes me smile every time I open the case and it gives me a sun-kissed glow.

8.  Like most people, practically every photo we have is on an electronic device but I always keep a hard copy of this picture in my purse.  I love my boys even when they’ve been away at camp and haven’t bathed for two weeks!

9.  Between visiting family in Toronto and Montreal and a very busy travel schedule for work, it feels like I spend half my life on a plane!  I now just keep in my purse a merino wool Bliss Wrap by Icebreaker – it’s perfect for travelling as it’s chic, cozy and versatile and looks good with everything from jeans to my new favourite summer maxi dress.

 

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Mom Product Tester Panel

GEAR By July 11, 2012 Tags: , , No Comments

We are seeking outgoing and devoted Moms from across Canada to test various sample products that are useful to a Mom’s lifestyle. You will be selected based on a written application. A comfort level with social media would be an asset. Time required would be a maximum of one hour per week incorporating the test product into your everyday lifestyle.

Feel free to email us for more information. Interested applicants should send an email outlining:

1) What region are you from?
2) How old are your kids?
3) If you could play with any toy from your childhood, what would it be and why?
4) What makes you an amazing parent?
5) What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said?

Email Us to Apply!

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Top 10 Teacher Gifts

Our top 10 Teacher Gifts

GEAR By June 13, 2012 2 Comments

It’s almost June, and summer is upon us! Finally, it’s time for lazy days and scavenger hunts. But before we leave school we must be thankful to the incredible teachers who have nurtured our kids over the past year. Teacher gifts needn’t be expensive, but all must be given with gratitude and joy.  Here are a few ideas..

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What's in the Bag?: Kids' Activities for the Plane

GEAR, ROAM, toys By June 10, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

Ka-Chow! The excitement is mounting as the kids and I depart tomorrow on a sneak preview of Cars Land at Disneyland Resort in Southern California.  Plane trips can be tricky and it helps to be prepared. Space is at a premium, entertainment is key, and yet you can also take the opportunity to do some teaching and nurturing.  Here’s what we packed:

1.  Mader, Doc Hudson and Lightening McQueen (a great way to educate and get them excited about what is to come.  You could do this with any destination – this of what you’d pack for Asia, Paris…)

2.  The Blackberry Playbook, complete with Montessori learning apps and a few games.

3.  Soy rock crayons.

4.  Big foam magnetic letters that the kids are having difficulty with – they will be a captive audience on the plane for learning their ‘G’ and ‘W’!

5.  A hackey sack for burning energy in the airport.

6.  An iPod with their ‘go to sleep’ music downloaded.

7.  Nemo waterwings to get them excited for swimming when we arrive.

8.  Again in the Disney theme, a few little green men from Toy Story.  They can stage battles for hours and we have so many we won’t miss them if a couple get left on the plane.

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What's in my travel bag

What’s in My Travel Bag?

beauty, GEAR By June 10, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Our staff have been on the road a fair bit lately and wanted to know “what’s in my travel bag?” – so I decided to spill the beans on some of my fave travel friendly products!

1.  Black 15 in 1 Twice a Week Miracle Hair Shampoo (because I only like to wash my hair 2x weekly).

2.  Swiss Army Knife: Victorinox (a gift from my Mom in 1992 complete with initials).

3.  ‘the supernatuaral cream’ with SPF 15 and ‘the present’ foundation to smooth wrinkles from Philosophy.  Especially great when you do a photoshoot or live TV spot.  Skin looks flawless.

4.  Cargo Cosmetics Essential Eye Palette (The name of the part of the eye is actually embossed into the shadow so you don’t mess it up!)

5.  Joe Fresh Style Frais Sheer Lip Crayon in Wine (I get compiments on this 6$ product every day).

6.  Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herbal Tea (works like a charm for jetlag)

7.  Diorshow Blackout mascara (So very Black).

8.  MAC Iridescent Pressed Powder (more luminescent than the studio fix and adds a hint of sparkle.)

9.  Olay Professional Pro-X Facial Cleaning brush (When you are too tired to wash your face this does it for you!)

10.  No! No! Hair Removal system (It’s like a mini laser to eliminate unwanted hair.)

11.  Kerstin Florian At-Home Professional Peel pads

12.  Make-up case: Missoni for Target

We’ll be doing a ‘what’s in the bag’ installment regularly.

Disclosure: all of these products were purchased by the publisher with the exception of Olay Pro-X, Cargo and Black 15 in 1.

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Unique Fathers Day Gifts for Dad

fitness, GEAR, style, tech By June 6, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 3 Comments

Father’s Day is a tough one.  PS – socks and ties just don’t really cut it.  Here are a few curated picks that we’ll be ordering.  And probably using for ourselves..  (That’s when you get them for the father of your children instead of your own dad so the items are.. ahem.. nearby.. for your personal use.)

This was so awesome we actually already bought one for the office.  Sorry dad.  A new take on the retro polaroid, the shots from the Fuji Instax Mini 50s Camera come out immediately and in a mini size – about half the width of an old-fashioned polaroid.  And you don’t have to wave them in the air either.  Available at Caya.

What man could possibly attempt a camping trip without his R2D2 Folding armchair? If he’s into starwars you might want to check out our feature on the hand-knit R2D2 hat as well…. Available at  www.thinkgeek.com

CHARGE ‘N’ FRUITS Designed Docking Station: The most decorative way to charge cell phones and MP3 players: definite shapes and creative styling. Simply load your charging cable through the fruit from above and place the cord in the cable channel at the bottom.  Caya.ca

Blown Away: A Year Through the Lens of The Tornado Hunter.  I was so riveted to the photos in this tome that I could feel my testosterone level rising.  Showcasing the surreal, scary, romantic electricity of tornadoes across North America, Greg Johnson’s stunning book can be found at WalMart and online at chapters/indigo.  www.tornadohunter.ca (Oh – and if you comment on this post with your fav idea for dad you get an entry to win one!)

WEBER FIRESPICE® TRIAL-SIZED SMOKING KITS: Not sure what flavour dad likes to smoke? Here’s an opportunity to sample different smoking woods – hickory, cherry, apple and more. Comes in assorted four and six packs.  Pair it with Weber’s Smoke™ cookbook written by New York Times best-selling author and James Beard Award Nominee Jamie Purviance. It reveals the secrets to infusing rich, smoky flavours into almost any dish on any barbecue including  gas, charcoal, or smoker. www.weber.com

Date night with Dad. Especially wonderful for the dad who doesn’t get much one-on-one time with the kids, here is an opportunity for the children to share ideas as to what a perfect date with dad would look like: Building a model airplane? Learning how to fly a kite?  fly fishing?  Yes please. 12 different ideas for activities to do with your dad for a special date.  Brilliant DIY idea by the Happy HomeMaker.

Collapsable shot glass.  You couldn’t possibly go on a golf course without one of these.  Or to Europe.  Or to the office.  Just sayin’

www.thinkgeek.com

The Man Bouquet.  Attach assorted cigars, beers and Dad’s favourite items to small dowels and ‘plant’ them in a huge pot.  (You might also want to include some lingere for yourself, which we’re sure he’d also enjoy.)  Idea and photo by: Elyse Nichol

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