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There’s a New Minivan on the Block – The Nissan Quest Returns

January 5, 2011 By Momfluential 1 Comment

We’ve all been waiting, patiently to see the  all new, reinvented Nissan Quest Minivan. With all the other players in the market starting to look the same, Nissan took a breather and waited to re-introduce their minivan. It seems it was a wise decision as the new Quest definitely stands out from the competition stylistically speaking, and with some unique functionality as well. Some of the highlights I experience:

  • Ergonomic seating and lower entry/exit designed suits the entire family, even grandma. High tech foam padded seats make the journey seem shorter.
  • Cleverly split storage keeps things in their place. A platform above the rear storage well keeps your groceries from disappearing into a black hole.
  • Visibility is great with huge rearview mirrors, convo mirrors, back up cam and blind spot warning systems.
  • Dual sun/moon roofs and a high ceiling give a spacious, light and bright feeling even in the third row.
  • The entertainment system rocks with one of the largest single screens out there.
  • Intuitive, well thought out dash puts everything in your field of touch.
  • Powerful V6 delivers 253 hp & super smooth ride for total control and security while driving.
  • CUV/SUV-like styling makes you feel less like a minivan mom.

The Quest doesn’t fare as well as some of the other minivans on the market in the mileage game – it rated 18 city/24 hwy. This mileage is still better than many SUV’s however. This vehicle is lot more comfortable/practical for a family on the go than most SUVs.  Pricing starts at $27,500 and maxes out at $41,500 for the top of the line loaded model.

Thanks to Caryn Bailey of Rockin’ Mama & Elizabeth Peterson of Traded My BMW for a Minivan for impersonating my children and Ellen Seidman of Love that Max for being such an awesome test drive co-pilot!

Disclosure: Nissan kindly provided hotel accomodations & meals during the test drive experience. There was also a 25 minute pre-drive massage. I wish my current minivan came with that feature. It would make me look forward to the carpool, so much more. All opinions my own, as always.
Filed Under: Family Travel Tagged With: , , ,

Reading Now: Hill Harper’s “The Conversation”

October 1, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment


Every fall as the leaves change and the days grow cooler, I feel like reading again. Maybe it’s the back to school thing. Maybe because I like to snuggle up in bed with a good read? Whatever the reason I find fall is definitely my reading season and the time I am most inspired to start or participate in  a book club. I feel like cozying up with a good book and friends and a mug of tea or a glass of wine and just talking…

Hill Harper’s book about relationships is a perfect kick off for a fall book club! The book is called  “The Conversation” because it’s really about communication. How can we be more honest with ourselves? How can we take that first step towards getting what we most want/need out of our relationships: true, authentic connections.

It’s a great read, sure to provoke some heated discussion. Hill Harper (who stars on CSI and was a classmate of Obama’s) has fascinating insight into the unique problems facing  single African Americans as they seek their soul mates. But the advice and issues he addresses are universal. We all face myths and stereotypes and engage in self sabotaging behavior. Even those of us that are already married! This book seems to be a well spring of good, common sense advice. It’s definitely a conversation starter!

Filed Under: Books for the Family

Vacation in Paradise Point: Classic San Diego Getaway

September 12, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

When I was little my parents used to sneak off to Vacation Village every time they went to a convention in San Diego. I never really knew what the resort was all about, until I took my own family there a few years ago. It’s now more commonly known as Paradise Point Resort and Spa.

This soft spot in my parent’s heart is now a soft spot in mine as well. I am in love with this kitschy, fun and family friendly resort. To me it’s the closest thing I’ve found to an east coast style vacation, but on the west coast. Why do I say that? It’s the sort of place where you do crafts, play cards, sit on the beach around a bonfire and peddle around in campy quad bikes. It’s all about family and friend at this newly renovated bungalow dotted island resort. There’s tennis and watersports, a lagoon pool, and dinner at Barefoot Grill or Baleen, overlooking the water and listening to (Barefoot Grill) live music as the sun sets into the Pacific and the entire bay lights up like a pastel rainbow.

There’s no need to hurry, and there’s plenty for families to do – from movie night at the pool to roasting s’mores on the beach (kits are available at the resort). But should you wish to venture outside the resort, Seaworld is right across the street.

The bungalow renovation brings lots of thoughtful details in – tiled floors look like hardwood but are easier to keep clean when you have constant foot traffic from the beach and pool. Wall mounted dispensers deliver luxury brand shampoo, conditioner and bodywash, cutting down on the number of disposible packages being thrown away. Throughout the rooms several unique touches (love the bedscarves!) lend a comfortable, relaxed, tropical breezy atmosphere.

Check out all the family deals on the Paradise Point website and read more about the history of this classic destination in San Diego.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go Tagged With: , , , ,

Bullyproof Your Child for Back To School

September 11, 2010 By Momfluential 2 Comments

I first learned about the Gracie method when one of my friends shared their audition for Oprah’s own show on YouTube. Their videos had millions of hits and the charismatic brothers became an overnight sensation. These two engaging coaches take a no nonsense, FUN, approach to teaching kids the skills to both give them confidence and the ability to defend themselves. Two essentials for making themselves “bullyproof”. Now the Bullyproof series is available on DVD.

Whether you live in the inner city or the poshest suburb, your kids will at some point face a bully. Consider this:

  • According to the National Education Association, 160,000 kids miss school every day in the U.S. just to avoid a bully.
  • According to the U.S. Secret Service, the majority of school shootings have been linked to cases of excessive bullying.
  • Studies show that adults who were bullied as children have higher levels of depression and lower self-esteem than those who weren’t

The Gracie Academy was established in 1925 to teach kids and adults vital self defense skills through the art of Jiu-Jitsu.

You don’t have to live near the Gracie Academy to learn from the Gracie family. You can learn remotely using their innovative dvd series. Watch the short video above for a preview of the sort of games/activities you’ll find in this DVD series.

We were initially apprehensive about these videos but once we saw what they were all about, we were hooked! Each video contains a series of exercises that are really games. In fact they are called the “Gracie Games”. These exercises are pretty similar to what your kids already do, rolling around wrestling with each other, with you or a friend. But they have specific objectives and moves. And they are fun. Fun for you and your kids. It’s a great way to be active and physically rewarding. My kids had such pride at being able to “beat” me and their dad at various wrestling assignments.

The videos are a full course in that you can register your child online, purchase a belt and receive stripes for your accomplishments when you send in a video of your child performing the assignments.

Check out one of the games online for a taste of what this video series is about. I cannot think of a better gift for your children than the gifts of confidence, security and physical fitness that this series promises. The fact that the Gracies make it fun is just the icing!

Filed Under: Child Safety, Kids, Movies & Music, Play Time Tagged With: , ,

2011 Honda Odyssey is a Minivan Hotrod

September 9, 2010 By Momfluential 11 Comments

Two summers ago when I leased my current car – a 2008 Honda Odyssey Minivan, I had a really tough choice deciding between the three main players on the market at the time: Honda, Toyota and Chrysler. I blogged about, tweeted about, asked friends, test drove and finally made a choice. I wasn’t unhappy with my choice, but I was unhappy that none of the choices had, at that time, EXACTLY what I wanted in a minivan. I chose the Honda because it had the features I considered most important: Comfortable seats, great mileage and a more powerful engine with sportier, better handling than the competition. What I “sacrificed” were a bunch or little amenities including multiple cell phone chargers and a more intuitive ergonomic dash.

Cut to the present. Honda has completely redesigned the Odyssey again and this time… I am both happy and a little sad (because I have a full year left on my lease!) to say they have hit it out of the park. This new van is the whole package. If I had to make a wish list of all the changes I’d wanted, it would look very much like this redesign. No surprise that pretty much everyone on the redesign team is a parent, and Odyssey owner.

So what fab features can you look forward to finding in the new Odyssey vehicles? Here are a few that I picked out as awesome.

Exterior:

  • More rigid Chassis and new roof design protects occupants and pedestrians
  • Sleeker, more modern ( less “van” more CUV) styling on the exterior, highlighted in the lightning bolt window design
  • Blind Spot sensors and Trimode rearview camera with parking assistance modes
  • More aerodynamic, lower platform

Interior:

  • FIVE (yes you heard me!) latch positions, including three in the second row, two in the third.
  • Wide mode for seats in the second row to allow for three carseats or for passage to third row with two seats installed in the second
  • Center seat in the second row slides forward to allow toddlers/infants to sit closer to parents
  • Redesigned dashboard creates “zones” for types of entertainment and interior controls – very intuitive
  • Satellite linked navigation with traffic and weather updates
  • Voice controlled nav, ipod, phone etc allows for safer driving
  • Navigation screen is integrated into dash up higher, near windshield for less driver distraction
  • Multiple charging ports including a USB in the glove box for your ipod (you have no idea how important this is to me)
  • More storage created just for the things you store. Fewer enclosed compartments in the rear (a good thing, nothing like mystery junk in enclosed compartments to make this mom crazy)
  • An integrated trash bag holder (insert hallelujah music here).
  • Extra legroom and shoulder room in the third row. It’s remarkably more spacious. Seats six adults comfortably
  • Better sound – the interior has been redesigned to allow conversation between the first and third rows, which was previously dicey. Not sure if I love this. Sometimes I don’t want to hear what’s being said back there!
  • Reclining seats in the third row
  • 16.5 inch wide split screen dvd player. Watch in widescreen mode or watch a movie on one side while someone plays a game on the other. It’s all about option.
  • In dash cooler for your drinks  – oh yeah!

Safety:

  • The vehicle’s frame and airbags have been enhanced
  • Additional protection for pedestrians
  • Handling, particularly on turns and in tight stopping situations, has been enhanced to keep the driver in control

Economy:

  • At up to 28mpg the Odyssey boast the best fuel economy in its class.

While test driving the Odyssey I had the chance to really put this vehicle to the test on a closed track. Doing donuts, taking curves at break neck speed… not things I’d normally try with my kids in the car. But what a really wonderful experience to see how the car responded when tested in this way. It gave me new confidence for a vehicle I already drive and am familiar with, and a new respect for the team that puts their hearts and souls into this vehicle (which, incidentally is made in the USA) safe and comfortable for their own families, and for yours.

If you are in the market for a minivan, and have a chance to test the new 2011 Honda Odyssey, I highly recommend it! Just maybe not as fast as we tested it, ok? Not unless you’ve got permission!

Here is the pricing for the 2011 Odyssey. It stickers out at $43k fully loaded with features to shame almost any luxury vehicle on the market.
Odyssey LX $27,800
Odyssey EX $30,950
Odyssey EX-L $34,450
Odyssey EX-L Rear Entertainment  $36,050
Odyssey EX-L Navi $36,450
Odyssey Touring $40,755
Odyssey Touring Elite $43,250

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $780 destination charge and
options.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go Tagged With: , , ,

Learn to Love your Microwave again with True Cook Plus

September 9, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

Microwaves, for most of us, are a love hate thing. You can’t live without it, but you don’t love how it cooks food. We’ve all been there. Faced with that so so meal that’s far from just so. True Cook Plus technology is changing that though – for the better!

Seriously, does anyone ever stir and uncover halfway through the cooking cycle? Or let the food “sit” for x minutes after it’s “done”? Every single time? We’re impatient people! If we were patient we’d be heating the pot pie in the oven, the old fashioned way and eating it in an hour and a half. We’d love it if we had the time. But we don’t. So we compromise and eat food that’s less than ideal. Yuck! Why do we do that?

To be fair, it’s not always your fault that your microwave lets you down. Half the time, even when you do follow the directions to a tee, the results are spotty. The food is colder in the middle. Scalded on the edges. It’s not ideal and it’s also not safe. You don’t want to eat food that hasn’t been properly heated/cooked and you risk salmonella, do you? Scary stuff!

Why is this such a problem in such a high tech world? You’d think something as simple as making a microwave meal would be simpler. But it’s actually been a tough nut to crack.

Microwaves are all different sizes and come in different shapes too, that affect the way they heat. They come in different “strengths” as well. To further complicate the matter, your house has different wiring than one in another city and also, your microwave may be affected by things like whether the AC is running. If you’ve just cooked something in the microwave, it may take less time to make another of the same thing. Altitude also affects performance. So many variables! Are you keeping track?

Food companies do their best to write heating instructions for their foods based on an average of sorts. But with that many variables the instructions are often wrong for your microwave, your city, your home.

Enter True Cook Plus. This technology was designed to make it easier to get great, consistent results from your microwave. True Cook Plus is a smart chip that is being used in microwaves from Kenmore and LG. The technology allows you to press a button, followed by a code that tells the microwave EXACTLY how to make your meal. Everything, from your home’s altitude (you enter your zip code upon first use of the microwave) to the size of the oven, the size of the packaging, and more, are factored into creating a cooking program that will get the best results for the food you are making. True Cook Plus codes are starting to turn up on several brands of food – including some of the healthy ones we love like Amy’s Organics. Check out the True Cook Plus site for a complete listing of foods that are currently coded to work perfectly with these amazing new microwaves.

How easy is it? My six yr old can make his own food perfectly, without any additional instruction from me. It’s just one button to press followed by a four digit code. I’m not saying he’s ready to move into the dorm or asking him to make the family dinner, but I have to say that if my six yr old can do it, it’s super easy!

Best of all, no stirring or waiting.

Filed Under: For the Home, Housewares Tagged With: , ,

Tinkerbell And the Great Fairy Rescue Is a Wish Come True

September 8, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

Do you believe in Fairies? Remember when you did? Here’s an 8 minute preview of the latest film in the Tinkerbell series, to remind you!

Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue, coming to DVD on Sept 21, will bring you back to the time in your life when you believed in magic. It’s pure wish fulfillment in a film and utterly endearing. I had the privilege of watching this film on the Disney lot, and afterwards going behind the scenes at Disney Animation studios to learn a little bit about how the film was made from story to art to animation. We also got a sneak peek at some of the merchandise your fairy loving kiddos will certainly be clamoring for! Brace yourself for character gummies, fairyhouse dollhouses, backpacks with attached fairy tutus, and a gorgeous and a huggable heirloom quality Lizzie doll that I kind of wanted to buy for myself.

While at Disney Studios I met the team that put together the film. Their creativity and dedication were infectious. So many details about this film were touching and special and it made me love the film even more. Little details like the credits thanking all the children who contributed drawings of fairies to the movie. You may be surprised to learn that Tinkerbell has her own costume designers and that her virtual wardrobe is fussed over as much as what an Emmy nominated actress wears to the awards ceremony.

If you live in the LA area you can catch special screenings of this movie at the El Capitan Sept 3-19th

Feeling fairy inspired? Head over to Momfluential for a quick tutorial on how to Make Tinkerbell’s Fairy House.

Filed Under: Movies & Music, Play Time Tagged With: ,

I Think You’re Gonna Like It Here: Hotel Grand Del Mar, San Diego

September 7, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

I’m a sucker for a good, relaxing throwback of a vacation. Sure I like theme parks and activities. But show me a pool and chaise lounge, a camp program and a luxurious room with a view and my breath goes out in a big giant sigh of relief. I can RELAX. Rejuvenate.

For me, that is what the Hotel Grand Del Mar is really about. Relaxing and recharging. Sure you can visit the nearby theme parks (Legoland, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and Seaworld are all within easy driving distance) but once you check in, you might not want to. It’s just so easy to while away the hours doing nothing in utter splendor at this old world style resort. Golfers will rejoice at the adjacent golf course. If you get ants in your pants and want to explore the hotel can arrange a guided nature walk with a local expert or you can always hit the nearby beaches for a surfing lesson or head to La Jolla for a round of boutiquing.

We found the food scrumptious at the Amaya restaurant, which has (according to my son) the best Chicken Noodle soup ever. Kids menu and a croquet court a few steps down from the dining patio make dinners easy and breezy. Hot air balloons drifting overhead added to the show.

If you are planning a summer trip to San Diego and are looking for the ultimate in family friend luxury digs… I think we’ve found it! Check out the Hotel Del Mar Summer Specials and Family Deals on their site.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go Tagged With: , ,

Mommies with Style & Momfluential at the Thermador Test Kitchen Blogger Getaway

July 15, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

I’m still trying to zip my pants after all the great eating I did last week! But it’s no surprise that I’m feeling a little indulged after visiting the Thermador test kitchens. Thermador is a brand that has always been associated with high end cooking, and their test kitchens are a testament to that legend! The food that their chefs prepared for myself and the fabulous bloggers I was honored to travel with was nothing short of dreamy. What really got me about it all was seeing this fab food prepared right in front of me, almost effortlessly. Salmon Wellington, Beef Tenderloin, Creme Brulee. These are not the sort of things I regularly attempt in my kitchen. But the chefs and the equipment at Thermador not only made it seem possible. They made it actually possible for us to accomplish ourselves as they walked us through the steps. Blowtorch anyone?

We were there to see the equipment, but the piece de la resistance was Thermador’s new steam convection oven for home kitchens. This oven does all sorts of incredible things that will make your microwave fear for its very existence.

Steam/convection ovens can defrost food super fast (without the yucky dry semi cooked edges). They can cook fish and veggies at the same time with zero transfer of flavor, preserving vitamins and texture of food.  Steam is the word when it comes to succulent slow roasts. You can cook a whole turkey in a steam oven without getting up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving. And perhaps most (sadly) significant in our home, you can reincarnate cold pizza in five minutes. It’s utterly amazing that part. The combo of steam and convection will bring that pizza back to it’s original fresh baked state so fast you might never resort to cold pizza for breakfast again. Steam convection combo ovens are the secret tool of great bakers worldwide and make for better breads as well. After seeing how fast the steam oven reheats food I really was starting to take stock of what I use my microwave for. Coffee? Warming milk? Uh oh microwave… Thermador has another device for that. this coffee maker that I also fell in love with. It’s enough to make me stay home from Starbucks.

Other noteworthy, product lust inducing Thermador finds from the day spent at Thermador included their gas range with the signature star shaped burners and an extra low heat setting that prevents scorching and is able to hold your food warming on the stove for longer periods of time. How low does it go? Check out this photograph of chocolate chips that we melted on a paper plate. This sort of blew my mind. I’ve never been a big fan of the double boiler.

I’ve also always thought gas ranges were a necessity for the true chef but Thermador has sort of changed my mind about that as well. In the past gas was better because it had the visual aspect that induction/electric ranges did not. Instant visual feedback – look at the pot, look at the flame, adjust and correct.  Much harder to do with an electric range, right? But the induction ranges from Thermador with SensorDome have one upped the gas range. They use an infrared light on your pot’s ceramic coating (or on a semi permanent sticker that can be added to any cookware) to monitor pot temp and are able to keep your food precisely set to the right temp. That means better frying and pots that never boil over. Not that I ever walk away from my simmering pots and come running back into the kitchen to a big screaming mess. Who’d do that? Here is a pic of a pot being “watched” by Sensor Dome. It’s boiling. Just not boiling over!

I could go on and on and on about all the wow, I want that, I gotta get that equipment we saw but I needed to save room in this post for the food.  The food! The Thermador Chefs shared some awesome recipes with us and I have to share a couple of them with you including these two incredible salads from Chef Kyle Jacobi.

Orzo Pasta Salad

- 1 pound Orzo cooked al dente

- 1 large carrot, very finely diced

- 1 red onion, finely diced

- 1 celery stick, finely diced

- 1 clamshell full pear tomatoes, halved

- Sunflower seeds or pine nuts, toasted

- 6 ounces golden raisins

- ¼ cup mint

- ¼ cup parsley

- 1 tablespoon thyme

- 3 tablespoons white balsamic

- 5 tablespoons olive oil

- A squeeze of lemon and lime

- Salt and pepper

1. Combine all ingredients, except for pasta. Fold in pasta. Refrigerate for a day.

Goat Cheese and Strawberry Salad

- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

- 8 ounces strawberries, quartered

- 4 ounces cashews

- 1 pound baby romaine or buttered lettuce, washed and chopped

- ¼ cup Yuzu dressing (lemon or lime work, too)

- 1 tablespoon honey, or agave

- 1 teaspoon Dijon

- ½ cup olive oil

- Salt and pepper

1. Mix Yuzu with honey and Dijon, whisk in olive oil gradually until all gone.
2. Assemble lettuce on platter, dress with strawberries, cashews, pour dressing over salad finish with cheese. Add salt and pepper.

If you are stuck in a dinnertime rut I suggest you check out the culinary center on the Thermador Site for even more amazing recipes. Thermador’s gracious and inspiring chefs are whipping up delicious food everyday just for people like you and I to try out at home. They are so good at what they do!

Many Thanks to Thermador and the amazing team of bloggers I met on this adventure. You may turn me into a bonafide foodie yet!

Disclosure: Thermador flew me to Arizona to visit the test kitchen and provided accomodations and food while there. My opinions about the brand are my own. I’m actually a third generation Thermador owner/user.

Filed Under: For the Home Tagged With:

Belen Echandia Take Me Everywhere Luxury Tote

July 12, 2010 By Momfluential 2 Comments

Are you ready to ditch your diaper bag? Interested in a high quality, luxury handbag that is just for you (and all the stuff for others you inevitably carry but really, for YOU!)? Then you owe it to yourself to check out the gorgeous, covetable, squeezable, lovable bags made by Belen Echandia. The colors, the styles, the signature hot pink lining… This is my first bag from this line, but I am sure it won’t be my last!

Caution: These bags are like your children in many ways. I gasped so loud when my husband threw mine in the trunk that he thought our baby had been injured.

I’ve made a video outlining why I love this bag so, but let me list the high points for you if you don’t have time to watch:

  • Strap otions: (padded) shoulder or long messenger strap
  • Hardware: Sturdy, high quality brass hardware. Brass feet to protect the bottom.
  • Leather: Buttery, smooshy, lightweight but durable. This is a “lifer” kind of bag.
  • Organization: Multiple cell, pen etc pockets that are well arranged. Pivoting center pocket, two zippered pockets and a signature hot pink lining – prevents “black hole” effect.
  • Style: Easy and breezy, will take you from a playdate to a dinner date
  • Capacity: Pretty capacious without looking like a suitcase. Can carry all you need for a day out with a kiddo. Or just your wallet and makeup case! Fits an iPad and a planner quite well too!

If you aren’t familiar with Belen Echandia, check out their website and all their many styles. For true bag-istas they have a couture line that allows you to  step up and be the designer. Pick your lining, pick your leather, pick your style and Belen Echandia will make you a bag that is truly unique.

Filed Under: Diaper Bags & Totes, Mommy Time Tagged With: , , ,

Classic rag dolls from Adorable Kinders

January 28, 2010 By Momfluential Leave a Comment

kindersWhen I was a little girl, my mother had a business making customized rag dolls. I was the lucky one, getting all the test dolls and samples. My mother is a talented artist and put so much into her creations. These dolls were amazing, well loved,  and I still have several of them. This explains why I am such a rag doll snob.

Over the years I haven’t ever really seen a commercial rag doll that I would want for my kids. My mom’s creations are a really tough act to follow. But earlier this fall I glimpsed Adorable Kinders rag dolls and was immediately thrust into a nostalgic state.  Read to the end of this review for a great coupon and instructions how to win one of these amazing dolls!

The Adorable Kinders collection of 26 dolls is based on the alphabet. There are dolls from A-Z, boys and girls, with a variety of hair and skin tones. I requested that the company send a red headed boy – “Xander” for my review. It reminded me of my 20m son who would be the target recipient and tester. Little did I know my 5 yo son would be so jealous! Not so surprising when you learn that the collection is based on an active group of kindergarteners (5yos) and their world.

Right out of the box the doll struck a chord. The weight and quality of the doll, the attention to detail in construction and material (even the clothes and socks and shoes are lovely) really stand out. My son was smitten. He and his new doppleganger buddy jumped off the couch together a few times and then his pal was lovingly put to sleep with a tissue paper blanket and firm kiss goodnight. My daughters each oohed and ahhhed over the doll and commented that it was “no fair” that they didn’t have dolls like these when they were little. I had to agree.

Some other great features about these dolls: They are washable! They have no hard pieces which makes them very comfortable and safe to sleep with. Each doll comes with a unique ID code that lets you log on online and play educational games that are appropriate for preschoolers and K-6th graders. Clothing for the dolls can be ordered separately.

Filed Under: Play Time, Toys

Kreative Lil Invites gets the party started!

January 16, 2010 By Momfluential 2 Comments

Prepping for a party can be stressful. You want everything to be perfect for your little darling but you may not be sure where to start or who to turn to for an adorable personalized photo invite.

I’ve found many of the card companies out there to be overwhelming. Many is the time when I’ve sat in front of a screen, dazzled by the choices and paralyzed with indecision. I didn’t know what to do.  There was no one to hold my hand. With the exception of entrusting my child’s photo to a friend who is a designer, I’ve never had any luck ordering photo cards online.

And then I met the owner of Kreative Lil Invites. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail won me over immediately! I loved all the options she showed me for our holiday cards. We went with a classic Hanukkah design but were really tempted to put ourselves in this snowglobe! Kreative Lil Invites did such a beautiful job with my holiday cards that I know I will be calling them again.

What I like about their site is that they offer a great range of choices, but not so many choices that I start to feel like I am writing a dissertation, instead of creating an invite! Browse through their themes – if you don’t see exactly what you want, they have the flexibility to work with you for a completely custom card. They won’t leave hanging. That personal touch is so wonderful.

If you are planning a party, announcing a move, welcoming a new baby, or looking for a better source for next year’s holiday cards or wanting personalized notecards made, check out Kreative Lil Invites.

Filed Under: For the Home, Paper Products & More

Bounce Your Way Thru Winter With Rody from Maukilo

January 15, 2010 By Momfluential 13 Comments

Looking for a way to stay sane till the frost melts? Gotta keep those active kids entertained indoors?  I can’t praise the Rody horse from Maukilo enough. Maukilo has a site chock full of toy goodness, but the Rody holds a special place in my heart. It’s the perfect solution for active indoor play on all those chilly, snowy, rainy days when your kids have energy to burn. Read to the end of this review for a chance to enter to win a $50 shopping spree from Maukilo.com

Rody horses have been in my house for over a decade. Our original red Rody horse is still going strong after hopping many a mile around our neighborhood and around our living room. But I hopped (pardon the pun) on the chance to review a new yellow Rody Horse. Our one problem with the original horse is its popularity. We’ve had fights break out over the thing. At one point I purchased a cheap Rody imitation to try and deal with this. It promptly popped.  Nothing but the real thing for us from now on! It’s no coincidence that the motto on the Maukilo site is “Buy Once. Play Forever”. That about sums up what I love most about the quality european toys sold at this site.

Over the years I’ve recommended Rody countless times to friends and family. Some of the questions I’ve heard are :

Q:  How old does a kid have to be to enjoy Rody?

A: The packaging states 3 yrs, however my children enjoyed this toy with supervision from a younger age. My youngest child was able to sit and bounce on Rody from a yr old, though he needed help getting on and off. By 18 months he was bouncing around the house without anyone holding on.

Q: Don’t your kids get sick of Rody?

A: No. Not at all, even after ten yrs my 13 yr old tries to get on one.

Here’s a little video I made of my sons bouncing around on Rody. Note that the red one has been in our house for many years. It never gets old!

Ready to enter for a $50 shopping spree? Visit the Maukilo Site and select your favorite toy item. Enter below by posting a comment with a link to the item, who you like it for, and why you like it. Please note, you cannot enter simply by commenting “I want this” etc or duplicating a previous entry. You have to actually tell us the what, why and who to qualify!

One winner will be picked at random.

Filed Under: Coupons & Freebies, Giveaways, Play Time, Toys

Candella Flameless Candles: Don’t Blow on them!

January 14, 2010 By Momfluential 3 Comments

It’s funny. Flameless candles were the last thing I expected to be blown away by at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) last week in Las Vegas. It just goes to show you, that sometimes technology surprises you. Candella did it to me.

These candles are something you might have already seen if you have been to the Haunted Mansion at Disney and have observed the floating candles. They look totally real, right? No tacky flickering LED in a wax case for Disney Imagineers! The technology behind this illusion involves a chaos engine, which is pretty sophisticated stuff for a fake candle! The effect is simply amazing though and I am so glad it has been licensed by Candella for use in my home.

Candella candles look so real you might be tempted to blow on them. Even knowing they are fake, I was careful not to lift it up from the top as my instincts told me I might get burned. My instincts got punked! These candles are eco friendly, rechargable, and last up to five years of continuous use. They come in a screw in lightbulb version too, if you have ever wondered what your dining room chandelier would look like lit by candles.

I had to go back and videotape Candella Candles in their booth at the CES show, just to capture how cool it was. I was a little tired at the end of this day, but wanted to make sure I got them. Candella candles are safe around kids and pets and will bring a little romance back to my home!

Filed Under: Eco-friendly, For the Home, Housewares

Tasty, Convenient, Organic Food from Ella’s Kitchen

December 24, 2009 By Momfluential 27 Comments

picture-54I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that it just keeps getting easier to feed your child healthy organic baby food. What was once a laborious task, with my oldest child (shopping, preparing, freezing, etc) has just become a no brainer with Ella’s Kitchen baby food products. A friend brought over a starter pack recently, suggesting I review them for Mommies With Style and I just want to send her a big public thanks! Even though we are not really in the baby food stage any more I will definitely buy this product to have on hand “in the mix”. If you are just starting out with baby foods or in the thick of infant feeding, seriously, you need this! Want to try it for yourself? One lucky reader will have the chance to try out a sample pack and I’m you’ll agree!

All the Ella’s Kitchen Stage 1 baby foods contain JUST organic fruits and vegetables, no fillers, no added salt or sugar, and unlike most baby foods, not even added water which would dilute its food value (if you look closely you’ll see that often up to 40% of many baby foods’ ingredients are actually water). The fruits and vegetables are pureed until smooth, gently pasteurized and popped into handy, light, re-sealable pouches.

Did I mention how much I like this packaging? It could not make eating on the run easier. The pouches have a sort of spout and a lid. You unscrew the lid to serve the food – just squeeze out what you need and recap, placing the remainder in fridge or freezer. If you’re in a pinch to serve a snack in the car, older toddlers can actually slurp the smoothie fruits and any of the Stage 1 blends, juice pouch style.

I never liked carrying glass containers of food in my bag, and frozen baby food is just not easy to deal with on the road, or on the spur of the moment. The fact that this food never needs to be refrigerated prior to use and has a 12 month shelf life without preservatives is just mind boggling and a little rock my world-ish. I had to read more about how they managed to do this. The secret is in the packaging, a method similar to canning but they’ve managed to preserve the nutritional integrity. Clearly the concept appealed to me from the start. There was only one last test to pass… The taste test!

For the taste test we brought in my 21 month old son. He’s past the baby food stage, clearly, but that did not dampen his enthusiasm for Ella’s kitchen foods. He happily slurped up the Smoothie Fruits and wanted to try all the Stage 1 foods. We let him try one a day (note: he would have happily tried them all at once, but moderation kiddo!) He actually would select the pouches himself, thinking carefully then announcing “I want yellow!” or “I want green!”. We packed pouches in his bag for the daycare at the gym and took some with us when we went out on errands or to dinner.

So far every pouch has been pronounced “yummy” and not “gucky” which is toddler for yucky, and in liberal use at our house. This overwhelming endorsement of non guckiness is like an awesome Michelin rating as far as we are concerned. I’m recommending this stuff to all my friends and buying more to have on hand for those days when all my son wants to eat is pasta and I want to get something else into him.

And now the giveaway… Leave a comment below telling us what flavor of Ella’s Kitchen Baby Food you think your child would enjoy the most. One winner will be chosen at random to receive a sample pack containing all 6 Stage 1 baby foods and the Smoothie fruits.

Filed Under: Feeding & Mealtime, Feeding Baby, Giveaways

Tiny Tongs: Perfect for toddlers who aren’t ready to stick a fork in it

December 24, 2009 By Momfluential 1 Comment

tinytongsDo you have a toddler who is always running with utensils? Stabbing themselves and their siblings with their fork? Do sporks seem strangely cruel and wrong to you. Side note: you can inflict a startling amount of damage with a spork. Don’t ask how I know.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you might want to check out Tiny Tongs. We gave this revolutionary utensil to our active 21 month old son and heaved a sign of relief. It took him a few minutes to get the hang of using these but once he did he had a blast and we were able to eat without fearing injury.

Tiny Tongs remind us a little of chopsticks for beginners. They are perfect for those toddlers who are somewhere between finger foods and forks and a kinder gentler utensil to bite down on or have flung at you. Definitely worth adding to the arsenal and useful to have in the diaper bag when traveling. Tiny Tongs are BPA, lead and pthalate free and are dishwasher safe.

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Filed Under: Babies, Feeding Baby, Housewares
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