1. MAMA MIO mini kit, $37

Purists like moi (love the pun!) love Mama Mio’s luxe, omega filled skin care. An added bonus is the fact that there are no synthetic colors, parebens or irritating petrochemicals lurking so the products are safe for pregnancy and beyond. The kit offer a mini boob tube, Omega Shower cream, Omega Body Cream, Omega Balm, a candle and Tummy Rub Oil

2. Arcona, Four Your Eyes Only Kit, $85

Want to bid adieu to crows feet? Brighten exhausted eyes?  Arcona’s 4 piece kit targets wrinkles with cosmeceutical-grade ingredients, such as enzymes, antioxidants and amino acids which protect and deeply hydrate problem areas.

3. QVC, Smashbox Studio To Go Limited Edition Mega Palette, $59

Bronzer? Check. Illuminating powder? Check. Gel liner? Berry stain lip glosses a plenty? Check. Get your glam on with this all-in-onekit from Hollywood hotshot beauty brand Smashbox

4. BLISS Spa at Home Oxygen Blast , $84

Want to tap into some just-been to-South Beach radiance? The secret ingredient to glowing skin is oxygen. Bliss has taken its bestselling in-spa treatment and worked it into a kit for home use. $84

5. The Body Deli: Body Kit Set #1, $72

I despise beauty products that smell like a revolting marriage of bug repellant and GLADE. So, the fresh smelling THE BODY DELI, beauty products inspired by “living foods”, was right up my alley. The products incorporate raw, fresh, natural and organic ingredients, like organic yogurt, amino acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, and all-natural plant oils. All of the products are handmade in small batches and are so pure that pregnant women can enjoy them too.

STOCKING STUFFERS:

6. Soap and Paper Factory Perfume Solids, $18

Channel the tropics with this divinely fragrant perfume solids in lavendar, verbena, orange and more

7. MINIMERGENCY Kit for Her, $12

Designed for women by women, I love MS. & MRS’ stash of 16 emergency essentials (from breath mints and dental floss to earring backs) in a chic (can double as coin purse) gold metallic case.

8. Tide To Go, $5

A simple solution fo rlife’s unexpected spills

9. Jemma Kidd air kiss lipgloss duo, $9.99

Proffer a perfect pout with this natural looking duo of glosses

Add some fierce fabulosity to your look with BURBERRY studded bracelets.

I am hosting a holiday soiree for Vogue at Burbery Dec 7 in Chicago and had the pleasure of shopping for MOI (versus everyone else on my list) for two hours. An accessories lover, I fell hard for the fantabulous studded bracelets and PLISSE leather bags. This, ladies, is what I call INVESTMENT PIECE

Thankfulness comes in many forms: Good health, Prosperity, Great family life. Love. But, on a recent trip to Miami, my gratitude quotient skyrocketed to a dazzling new dimension. For years, I took the term “family vacation” to be a cruel play on words. In my pre-mom life, Vacation→relaxation. Being with my children is hard core work. Therefore, going to a resort with my family was like a juicy carrot dangled before my frazzled face. My fantasy? A hybrid scenario where I—a working mama with maximum responsibilities and minimal downtime- could log in family time with a few hours to read, work out and nap. This meant that I had to unearth a property proffering the crème de la crème of kids programs.

So, with an event in S. Florida looming on the horizon, I tried something new. Instead of parking myself in hedonistic South Beach where children are treated as an unfortunate fashion “don’ts” and the expectation of “service” yields haughty glares, I booked a room at Acqualina in Sunny Isles, FL just north of Bal Harbor. This resort -the only 5 star on Miami Beach-boasted generous rooms, an Espa spa and Il Mulino restaurant. But, it was the Marine Biology based program that held the most cache. Would my daughter willingly oblige me with three hours of free time each day?

The answer was a resounding yes. After swimming for 2 hours and collecting shells, we approached Acquamarine. Every mom knows the rules of engagement. The first five minutes are crucial. Obviously trained in the high art of sharpie’s, glitter and paper plate self expressionism, Brette was immediately sucked into the world of whales .Art projects. Shell hunting. Swimming .Lunch. I scooted out and ran-literally-to the spa. After a massage, I took a nap. I read. And, at 1pm, refreshed, I picked her (and mountains of artwork) up so we could spend the rest of the day together. I was on cloud nine. This divine schedule persisted for the entire four day trip. By 8:30 each night, we retired to our cozy room, juices in hand. She of the Macintosh apple variety. Me, some heady “mommy juice”, a Pinot Noir. Needless to say, I will be returning soon.!

AAA Five Diamond Award 2010; Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Award 2009, Allure Magazine ‘Best Day Spa in Miami’ 2009, Conde Nast Traveller Top Spas in The Americas and Caribbean 2008, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2008, Sun Post Best Resort in Miami 2008, Robb Report’s Top 100 Exclusive Luxury Resorts 2007

http://www.acqualinaresort.com/

17875 collins avenue, sunny isles beach, fl 33160

305 918 8100 Reservations

HINT: We don’t want a vacuum cleaner. Bakewear is a bust. The monogrammed coffee holder for the car (to energize us for schlepping the kids) is not our idea of good gift. Oh, we always smile and muster a joyful expression. But, the truth is that these gifts are for YOU, not us. What do we really want? I will spill the beans on fantabulous gifts that will really help mom grin as large as her to do list!

Click Here to watch the video of me styling Good Day New York’s Heather Nauert

Everything about travelling is stressful; especially packing. I am headed down to Miami today and thought I’d share a few expert packing tips.
 

-  Compress everything with Flight. 001 space packs.

-  Pack anything that can wrinkle with tissue paper. Stick it in each fold.

-  Pack black, black and more black. If you stick with multi-tasking neutrals you can easily dress them up wth a scarf and necklace.

-   Layer anything that can wrinkle with bags from dry cleaner. They keep things crisp.

-  Fedex the heavier things and fluids.

-  To avoid spending $50 on a breakfast at hotel, pack instant oatmeal and plastic spoons.

-  Collect sample toiletries at all times to avoid bringing fulll sized products on the plane.

-  Prepare for delays with snacks in your purse.

-  Bring a giant cashmere shawl that can double as blanket on the plane.

As most of  you know, I encourage women to look and feel great during pregnancy by maintaining their fashion identity. A huge box just arrived at my office filled with gorgeous maternity lingerie that is at once sexy AND functional. The collection boasts lacey nighties, silky Boy shorts and ooh-la-la G strings. The bras feature a secret breastfeeding panel. Where was this while I was skulking about in tattered Jockey undies. Ladies: this luxuriously decadent innerwear will put a spring in your step. And…your partner’s!!!

www.hotmilklingerie.com

What you eat impacts your complexion. Though it seems obvious, derms emphasize that great skin is contingent upon a nutritious diet and downing eight 8oz glasses of water per day. You don’t need to axe them from your diet but know that dehydrating coffee, fried foods and salt incite toxicity (which dulls skin), zits and under eye swelling.

All through college, as I subsisted on a steady diet of popcorn, yogurt and cinnamon raisin bagels, I wondered…why oh why am I permanently constipated? My mom, a reasonably healthy eater, did not divulge the wisdom that is pooping protocol: starches +veggies + fruit= a satisfying trip to the bathroom. OK, you are wondering, where is this going? Here’s the point: For me, the carb heavy diet of pregnancy recalled those painful bouts of constipation. And, constipation factors into the condition of your skin causing breakouts and blotchiness.

KEEP IT MOVING: THREE TIPS FOR CONSTIPATION RELIEF-

1. A fiber filled, Anti-oxidant (Sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, almonds, carrots, berries, whole grain cereals and grains) rich diet will boost the immunity system, increase cellular turnover and make you poop.

2. If tropical fruits like kiwi, mango, papaya and melon are nature’s broom, spinach and broccoli are its dust buster.

3. Sprinkle flaxseed into salads and cereal. Ground up, this nutty flavored essential fatty acid (which may be very well be the tenth wonder of the world) gives reticent bowel movements a hard- to- resist come hither.

Chicagoans: I will be out and about offering up sage advice on easy, breezy ways to glam up your holiday look. Please join me at one of these fab events. RSVP required

PREGGERS & BUMP CLUB CHICAGO

GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA! 

With Special Guest, journalist, television personality and

author of Bump It Up, Amy Tara Koch

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Preggers

900 North Michigan Avenue, 5th floor  Chicago, IL 60611

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

$15 in advance/$20 at the door

Fabulous giveaways include:

                    Medela Swing Pump                          Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover Gift Set

MD Moms Silky Smooth Baby gift set                  BabyBjorn Little Potty

http://www.bumpclubchicago.com/The_Bump_Club_Chicago/Preggers_Event.html

Neighborhood Parent’s Network

BUMP IT UP for the Holidays

Featuring Style Expert and Author, Amy Tara Koch

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bubbles Academy

1504 N Fremont St, Chicago, IL 60642-2526

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Raffle includes a Britax B Nimble stroller and more!

www.npnparents.org

http://npnparents.org/expectantMomsGrp.asp