Parks, culture, history, sports and a culinary scene that runs the gamut from old-fashioned hot dog stands to haute Michelin-starred cuisine—Chicago has no shortage of activities. If you’re looking for the kid-friendly variety, you’ll find your fill at five of our favourite Windy City attractions. READ FULL STORY HERE
I am headed to Paris with my daughter on Friday. A serial traveler, I pack for every conceivable in-flight situation. And, I dress in way that is at once comfortable and chic. Just in case Robert Pattinson or Karl Lagerfeld should sit near us on the flight.
On the fashion front, it is all about super soft leggings and long sleeved tee shirt. Layered over the shirt is a DKNY cashmere “cozy” and a extra wide cashmere scarf that can double as a blanket. Flexible ballet flats are a must.The entire outfit is, of course, black. Why? The ultimate neutral, black is flattering, urbane, sleek and chic. It also does not show the accumulated dirt and grime of an international flight. Flying will suck the moisture from your face and body. Throughout the flight, I pat my face with Sonya Dakar Omega Booster oil and lubricate my eyes with Refresh eye drops. I swab AYR nasal gel (germs can enter the bloodstream through cracked nasal passages!) inside my nostrils before the flight. Cooties are a huge issue. I wipe down the whole area and tray with anti-bacterial wipes. I always bring the Bug Off Chair Cover to cover the airplane seat. This washable fabric cover is a barrier between me and the filthy seat. Wipes are also used to open and close the bathroom door. And to flush the toilet. I always bring two changes of clothes and my toiletries kit on the flight. Whether you fly first class or coach, bags get lost all of the time and you don’t want to waste your precious vacation hunting down clothes. I pack them in Flight001 Space Paks, which keeps everything super organized. Also in my carry-on are a gold pendant necklace, some gold earrings, sunglasses and lip gloss. I pop them on upon arrival to Paris to create some je ne sais quoi drama for my all-black look. My daughter, of course is in a similar kid-ified get up. She has her own chair cover, wipes and Ayr.
For medical maladies that may crop up en route, always have kids and adult Advil, Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Band Aids and antibiotic ointment on hand. For ascending and descending, I am a huge fan of Ear Planes, which regulates air pressure naturally within the ear.
Au revoir
1. Michael Stars cotton long sleeve shirt $55
4. Drift Eyewear sunglasses, prices vary
5. Boutique 9 flexible ballet flats $69
6. Sonya Dakar Omega Booster $42
7. Make Up Forever Lip Gloss $19
10. Black Pashmina scarf $24.98
11. Children’s Advil $6.99 & Children’s Pepto-Bismol $5.29
13. Wet Ones Antibacterial $3.99
14. Bug Off Chair Cover $29.99
16. Goldfish crackers
The holiday season is chaotic. Between running from work to events, cocktail soirees and seeing the family, unforseen style mishaps –a deodorant stain, a “third eye” of a zit, the snappage of a bra strap- can ruin all of the fun. Here are some stylist secrets to recover from fashion fiascos in a snap.
PROBLEMS: SOLUTIONS:
ACHING FEET………………………………..Foot Petal Triple Threat Pack $24.95
SMELLY……………………………………………..Dove Ultimate Fresh mini deo $1
YELLOW TEETH……………………………Prime Time Whitening System $29.98
MAKEUP ON CLOTHES or dirty shoes……….Huggies Baby Wipes prices vary
RUNNING TIGHTS or holes………………………..NYC Clear Nail Enamel $0.99
ALL IN ONE……………………………….Mr. and Mrs. Emergency Kit for Her $13
FLAT HAIR…………………………………..Hot Tools Self-Grip Rollers 5ct. $2.79
EMERGENCY PLUCKING……………Mini Tweezerman Harajuku Tweezers $15
ZITS……………………………………………Proactiv Acne Fighting Concealer $15
DEODORANT ON CLOTHES……The Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover $10
GREASY FACE……………………………….Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens $10
WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS……..Hollywood Fashion Double-sided tape $9
MISMATCHED ROOTS…………………………………….L’oreal Root Rescue $7.99
BROKEN STRAPS OR BUTTONS…………..Singer Safety Pins, assorted sizes $5
BAD BREATH………………….Colgate Wisp, portable mini toothbrushes $7.99
OILY HAIR……………………………Bumble and Bumble hair powder to-go $19
STAINS……………………………………………………………Tide-to-Go minis $5.99
For kids ages 2-6
This app helps kids Learn about animals and animal sounds through fun quizzes
For kids ages 2-4
This app helps Introduce toddlers/preschoolers to numbers and counting
$1.99
For kids ages 2-8
A hungry frog named Hoppy teaches young kids how to spell without the bore of scrabble
$0.99
For kids ages 4+
This app is an interactive, furry version of connect four or bejeweled
$4.99
For kids ages 5+
This app is all about Geometry Brain Teasers
$1.99
Developed by an Elementary school teacher
Its exactly what it sounds like, except SO much better than flashcards.
You can choose all different kinds of math skills and difficulty levels to challenge yourself
$0.99
For kids Ages 6+
This app helps kids memorize all 50 states and capitols through exciting games and activities
A World version is also available
$0.99
For kids ages 8+
Think Space Invaders meets mathematics for this outta this world app
$1.99
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer, Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Mrs. Piggle -Wiggle by Betty McDonald and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Want these classic books to magically appear at your doorstep this summer?
Keep your kids engaged this summer with the ideal reading list curated by age and by interest by CHILDREN”S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB. They’ll deliver two books to your doorstep for three months for only a $49.44 price tag (a 50% savings off of publisher’s edition prices, membership) PLUS a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate for your family to enjoy.
From Goodnight Moon to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Shel Silverstein and numerous young adult novels, hundreds of titles are available.
In a few weeks, school will be out leaving an unstructured summer schedule for your kids to fall into. Fun, yes. But, how do you keep your budding brainiac sharp this summer?
With the iPad, TV, Gameboy DS and apps a plenty clamoring for attention, getting your child involved with a good old fashioned book can be tough.
According to the U.S Department of Education, children who do not read over the summer may lose as much as 25% of their reading skills and fall back an entire grade level. In fact, children who read just 6 books during the summer gain or maintain reading skill achieved during the proceeding school year **(Sources: Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling, & Examiner.com)
I have partnered with the Book Of The Month Club to promote their children’s division which is committed to keeping kids enthusiastic about reading this summer with an incredible offer for parents. Here’s the deal: The CHILDREN”S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB has crafted the ideal reading list curated by age and by interest. They’ll deliver two books to your doorstep for three months for only a $49.44 price tag (a 50% savings off of publisher’s edition prices, membership) PLUS a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate for your family to enjoy.
From Goodnight Moon to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Shel Silverstein and numerous young adult novels, hundreds of titles are available.
After all, inspiration is the greatest gift you can give your child.
“Politicians, mobsters, sports greats, literary scions and the glamour of Prohibition-era intrigue are the stuff of Chicago legend. But these days, from the tony Gold Coast to the gritty South Side, the Windy City has a newfound luster, born of the collision between tradition and innovation. Redefining American classics with imagination and humor, culinary daredevils have turned this meat-and-potato-loving town into a gastronomic destination. Haute retailers have set up in dramatic spaces that reference classicism within a 21st-century context. But history buffs, fear not. In this City of Big Shoulders, visionaries have always coexisted with a storied past. Capone-era jazz clubs and other historic nooks are always just an L stop away.”
Every parent wants recognition for her kids’ adorability quotient. Well, here is your chance. Premier gear brand Chicco is offering parents the rare opportunity to have their kids cuteness factor displayed on a 100-foot NYC billboard in TIMES SQUARE this February. All parents (from anywhere in the world) need to do is upload a 10 second video of their child (age 0-5) saying the brands name “kee-ko” for the universe to admire. Participating families will be entered to win some Chicco gear and receive a keepsake of the special media moment.
To get started go to Chiccousa.com/timessquare. To hear how to say it,call 1-866-68-CHICCO
PREP SCHOOL: WINTER TRAVEL TIPS
Family travel sparks anxiety in the most unflappable parent. The trick to keeping it all together? Patience, preparation and packing like a pro. Here are some of my key tips:
KEEP IT AT THE READY: MOM MUST HAVES
The name of the travel game is to be prepared for every situation: delays, congestion, stains and bad behavior. These products are genius to stave off to stave of mid-air crises. For babies, always have multiuse pads, pacifier for the trip.
Reality: Kids always spill. TIDE TO GO ($4.99) minis are mama’s little helper. The size of a lipstick, (but with the force of a washing machine) Tide To Go instantly removes stains like food and drink stains from clothing. The $35 Duracell myGrid USB Charger ($34.99) is that extra power source for for emergency charging of devices like smartphones, e-readers, MP3 players and electronic games. Travel means bending the rules. Always have Bribery/forbidden foods to squelch explosive situations (gummies, Chocolate, Lollipops) . Your seat mates will thank you! Munchkin Multi-Use Disposable Pads (Pack of 20, $5.99)
KEEP IT HEALTHY: MEDICINE CHEST IN THE SKY
Anticipation will nip most high in the sky dramas in the bud. Have Band aids, Air Pressure Discomfort Ear Plugs, Benadryl, Infant pain reliever drops packed and ready
KEEP THEM FED: SNACKS/MEALS ON THE GO
Unless you want to fall victim to lousy airport food and high priced hotel breakfasts, stock your carry on and suitcase with snacks and breakfast options like granola bars, trail mix and instant cereal. Prepare for two hours’ worth of delays! One of my favorite easy-to –transport items is Cream of Wheat Cinnabon ($6) single serve packets. It has miraculously fused the big flavor of junk food with high nutritional value. The 100-calorie packets contain no fat and are excellent source of Vitamin D, calcium and iron. They have a coupon online!
KEEP THEM BUSY: BEST TOYS/GADGETS
Sitting quietly for hours is tough. Even for adults. Engaged kids are well behaved kids so I recommend Interactive games—Vtech Princess Magical Learn and go ($16.99), a portable dvd player, Leap Frog Leapster Explorer ($74.99, pictured below) to keep everyone occupied. When batteries run out—and they always do-have extra juice (power, that is!) Duracell’s myGrid USB Charger offers 100 hours of backup power to anything that can be connected with a USB cable.
KEEP IT ORGANIZED
A mom’s bag is likened to a black hole. We reach in and anything can come out. Except what you are looking for. To stay organized,a moms BFF are snack holder for The Bumble Collection, Pish Posh mom carry alls ($44.99, pictured below), Munchkin snack holders, and, of course, ziplocks.
KEEP IT CLEAN: COOTIE PATROL
To defend your family from the brazen germs lurking on every surface, build your anti-cootie arsenal with Wet Ones Hands and Face Antibacterial Wipes ($2) and Bug Off chair covers.
