Lucky Lil' Darlings

Windy City Families what are your plans for the weekend?

2012-02-24T14:50:00.000-08:00

One of our Chicagositters did some digging, and here is what she found going on in Chicago forthe weekend:

There are always greatactivities for kids/families at the touristy-type locations such as The Shedd Aquarium, AdlerPlanetarium, Museum ofScience and Industry, ChicagoChildren's Museum, and the Field Museumof Natural History!
Try visiting the InternationalKennel Club Dog Show happening at the McCormick Place this weekend! Theyactually put on demonstrations outside of the dogs being judged and it issupposed to be fun for all ages!
Another great event that they brought back is Skatingin the Sky at the John Hancock Observatory. How about some ice-skatingwhile looking over the city of Chicago?? Beautiful right!

Have a great weekend to all our LLD families!a

Why pay a membership for a sitter service?

2012-02-23T10:34:00.000-08:00

We often get asked, "Why should I pay a membership fee to hire asitter" and the answer is simple...

Mom and dad's are very busy and juggling family, work, and life can be such adaily challenge. Add in trying to find trustworthy sitters through one'spersonal network, then screening those prospective sitters and the process canbe daunting.

Joining an elite company such as Lucky Lil' Darlings (LLD) enables youto take the trouble, and hard work out of the mix. First and foremost,LLD is a trusted company that hand selects each sitter. In addition to findingtop-notch sitters, we conduct extensive screening, ensuring a properlybackground checked and college educated sitter. In addition, we have alsoperfected the LLD sitter match. We are experts at finding the rightsitter for your kids and ensure a fun, reliable addition to your family, makingthe process secure and painless.

Havinga reliable person you can speak with about your individual family needs alsoreally takes the pressure off. Sometimes you need to discuss options for yourchild-sitting needs. Whether you need a weekly sitter for date night, a holidaysitter for your next family vacation or just an extra set of hands on theweekends, LLD's personal service really helps configure the best solution foryour family. We have loads of experienced sitters for all occasions: parties,vacations, corporate events etc, and we've seen it all. The level of experiencewe provide is hard to match, and as an LLD member you can tap into ourinformation anytime, with a quick call or email.

Another great benefit is being able to book sitters last minute. Even ifyour "regular" nanny/sitter is booked, LLD has an extensive databaseof amazing, available sitters, and can accommodate last minute requests: what'sbetter than that!?

Hereare some of the highlights to being an LLD member:

--LLD’s sitters are the best in the business and become true, long term rolemodels for your children.

--LLD provides a loyal and genuine local community for elite, urban families.Our families are friends, we have great local events that enable fun familynetworking, hearing about amazing local deals and being plugged in to awonderful group of mom and dad's that like you are looking to engage.

--LLD’s Secure Screening Process is extensive, organized, and thorough toalways ensure your Lil’ Darlings arealways in the best of hands.

--LLD’s core mission is to provide the utmost highest quality of family caresolutions in a convenient & efficient manner. We have the reputationin the business for finding the best childcare providers for your family.

--LLD’scomprehensive suite of family care offerings reduces daily stress for busy,modern families. You tell us what you need and we do all the work!

-LB

Ahhh Another Travel Necessity!

2012-02-21T11:33:00.000-08:00

Spring break is around the corner and that meansit's time for us to compile our favorite list of travel activities to inspire,educate and distract your children. Here is our first!

I was introduced to Lazoo at the J&RJr. store launch a few weeks back. Iwas immediately drawn to the bright colors inspired by the brand's mission andinterested in learning how to get this creative tool in front of the childrenwe babysit. I was informed that Lazoo is designed to best engage children'snatural play patterns as a means of fostering creative thinking. Hmmmtell me more...

On my recent trip from Chicago (where LLD newly opened shop this February) I metan adorable two year old girl on my flight and quickly introduced hermother to the Lazoo app. She was fussy and crying sitting on her mother's lap,but her eyes opened wide and the tears stopped as she watched in awe of theocean picture in front of her on my iPad. We made swiggles in the waves, painted asun in her favorite color yellow, and made fishy faces. Next we tried out thetree with bird. We drew nests for all the mama birds and added baby birds tothe mix. Our last project was the free draw where we drew a spider crawling up awater spout, I sang as she looked on in awe. Itsy, bitsy spider crawled up thewater spout...

This app was a life saver! It helped divert the child's uneasiness intocreative thinking. Not only did it encourage interest, openness and positiveemotion it made all the other travelers nearby smile as the child calmed down:)

For more info on Lazoo visit Lazoo.com or youcan easily download the app for free on your iPad!

STRUT! The fashionable mom show!

2012-02-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Mother of three, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, is the Director of Fashion at the Lincoln Center in NYC as well as the liaison between countless parties involved in fashion week. Stephanie believes that mothers can not only be fashionable, but they can also gain strength from mixing style and raising children while working! You really can have it all! Stephanie ensures readers that her family always comes first, and her lil' ones are constantly in her office. In fact, at this weeks fashion week Stephanie's daughter was taken through the Barbie dream closet... what little girl wouldn't dream of that!

Stephanie believes in empowering moms for all their hard work, which is why she loved the idea of a mom fashion show at fashion week! In collaboration with The Moms, Mom-entum, Big Fuel and Getting Gorgeous, Stephanie was vital in the development of "Strut: The Fashionable Mom Show". Why not bring couture to moms everywhere! The event featured over 20 moms wearing designer and non-designer clothing friendly for all shapes and sizes. Here's a picture from MSNBC of the moms workin' it!

In the article focusing on Stephanie in ibtimes.com she says,"I didn't just love the concept" of a mom show, it resonated with her personality with her extremely busy schedule as founding director of fashion at Lincoln Center she constantly struggles with balancing work and family. Stephanie pulls off both, and proves it is possible to have it all! To watch a video about the mom-friendly fashion show visit the website here.

Here's to all our Atlanta Families!

2012-02-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

Here we come! LLD has reached yet another big east coast city: Atlanta. We've already rounded up some of the best sitters in town and are ready to help with everyone's lil' ones down south. If you're stumped about something to do for the weekend in the city, one of our newest sitters Courtney Kligman has given us her tips for the weekend! Thanks Courtney!

Center for Puppetry Arts Not only do they have shows that will appeal to the whole family - right now, they are performingSpace!; the Center has a museum and puppet making workshops.
The Little House of Art Get creative with your little ones! A fun place to paint, sculpt, and use your imagination. Check out their website to see special events like Princess Day.
Piedmont Park For only $15 per session, the Rink at Piedmont Park, offers an ice skating rink within a heated garden tent!

Make sure you check out Courtney's suggestions to do with the lil' ones this weekend. Have a great friday and keep tuned for more posts from LLD!

Plan your child’s birthday party with Blast Events!

2012-02-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

Annie Steinberg–Joachim has been in the events industry for 10+ years. She has built her reputation on being an upbeat event planner who is extremely detail oriented.

What sparked Blast Events?

Blast Events NYC was sparked by the birthday of my nephews Jackson and Truman. They are the most fun little guys in the world. I was in event planning for 10 years and feeling like I needed a change, once the boys were born I realized I could still do event planning, but for children. After my sister in law let me plan a few of their birthday parties and all the moms started to inquire about my services, I had the confidence to start Blast Events NYC.

Tell us a bit about the events that you work on?

We work on all types of events, they just have to be about children. We do baby showers, a briss, a baby naming, birthday parties and everything in between. My favorite is a birthday party. When you see a child walk in to their own party and they light up, it's such a good feeling. We work on events of all sizes, we've done events in a Manhattan apartment and events located in Cipriani - so really no job too big, no job too small - when your job doesn't feel like work you just go with the flow and enjoy!

What is your favorite project thus far?

Well this is my favorite question, thus far.. I love the parties we produce, they are all special to me, but my favorite project was a 1st birthday for a child named Jacob. The theme was a safari and it was held in their beautiful Chelsea apartment. I would say it was my favorite because the family was lovely to work with. His mommy was very involved in the planning process, but was very gentle and welcoming to our suggestions. It was the perfect balance of an involved mom but one who wasn't a control freak. When you hire a party planner you have to know that they are the expert, not you! This mom welcomed our suggestions and still gave her opinion, it was just perfect. Once we arrived at the party her guest treated us like guest. The entire party, family and friends were by far the nicest people we have ever worked with. We made them a beautiful photo album of pictures from the day to say thank you. My wish is that we will be able to work with them on more events in the future.

For more info on blast events click here!

Feel the LOVE at Cycle for Survival

2012-02-14T05:20:00.000-08:00

For Valentine’s Day this year I wanted to highlight a causethat always makes me smile. You can literally feel the love at the annualevents hosted in Equinox gyms across theUS.

That event is MemorialSloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Cycle for Survival, the indoor cyclingfundraiser raising awareness for rare cancers. LLD was there happy to supportthe very important cause.

At Cycle for Survival we had our sitters and my family (mymom’s mother had brain cancer and this makes us feel like we are connecting toher again) working check-in, on-site managing and babysitting in the Kids Zone!

One of our sitters Bridget said, “it’s so incredible to mejust how many people Jen (Cycle for Survival’s founder) touched. She must have been such an incredible woman”. Learn more about Jen’s story by watching thisvideo

I’m personally touched by Emma’s story, I worked with herdad promoting the event last year in Chicago. Emma’s team is Emma’s Eight, readabout her story here

And back home in NYC, our girl Perry, who we’ve babysat forthe past 4 years, read about her story on her mom’s blog. And get this her mother rodefor 8hrs Sunday! Go Anne!

Next year LLD needs to get a bike!

Happy Valentine's Day!

-LB

A Valentine's Celebration

2012-02-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

Today the Tottenville Library on Staten Island had a Valentine's Day Celebration for lil' ones of all ages. Toddlers of three and pre-teens of twelve were welcomed into the library to celebrate all the love that Valentine's Day brings. With a library filled with stories of love, where better to spend the afternoon! Some of our favorite children's books for Valentine's Day are Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! and Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine. How could you not love these children's books! While spending the afternoon surrounded by moms dads and other lil' friends, kids could make their own candy necklaces and enjoy the magic of the library.

If you're still looking for a V-Day activity for the kids, the Ottendorfer Library is having a Hearts and Flowers afternoon where heart-warming stories will be read to the lil' ones while they make exciting pop up cards. Keep an eye out at New York Public Library's website for more upcoming events at other public libraries all over the greater NY area. Don't forget to follow them too @nyplkids!

LLD is Opening in AUSTIN! Meet our City Coordinator!

2012-02-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Meet our City Coordinator in Austin: Mandy Takacs. Lindsay (our founder) & Mandy met in college through their sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma. Mandy grew up 20 miles away from Lindsay outside of Cleveland, Ohio (but we had no idea at the time!) She was was a cheerleader and a Girl Scout growing up and has always adored children. She currently lives in Austin and works in real estate.

Here are her three favorite things to do on the weekend here in Austin:

- The farmers market downtown is great. I love buying produce from local farmers, and the organic homemade tamales are delicious!

- Renting a canoe or kayak on town lake is always easy and fun! $10 for an hour of paddling down the lake/river.

- Taking a walk down South Congress and wandering into some shops can fill an afternoon. Stop by Amy's Ice Cream with the kids to try the most amazing, original ice cream in Austin. With flavors like Shiner Beer for the grown ups and Sweet Cream for the kids, you can't go wrong.

Follow Mandy @MandyTAustin or email her at mandy.takacs@luckylildarlings.com

Bring Back Family Dinners!

2012-02-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

By AllisonBrooks

This is the 21st Century! Home ofthe overworked, underpaid, tired and in dire need of "me" time.Parents, children, husbands, wives and extended family are become isolated fromeach other, due to disparate schedules, after school activities, work and amyriad of other reasons. These days, people go to the nearest drive thru andeat on the run, order takeout and plop down on the counter, or use convenienceand processed foods to prepare some semblance of a meal.

Family dynamics may have changed in the past 50 years, but the inherent desireto hold the family together still remains important. Circumstances mightindicate that the concept of family is disintegrating and that may be the casefor some people. The simple fact is that we are human and we need each other. Away that we can keep our family units strong and together is to sit togetherand to eat together. We need to nourish not only our bodies, but also ourminds, spirits and souls.

Research has shown that families that make the time to have dinner together arehappier, stronger and better prepared to negotiate life's difficulties. Eatingtogether is a mutually beneficial experience for adults and children. Sittingand enjoying a meal together promotes open communication, better appetites anda more positive outlook on life. This is why many RD’s and nurses recommend afamily meal at least once a day. Not only in the home but facilities likenursing homes and cancer facilities ask families to visit to have a mealtogether. Since the idea of a short life-expectancycan make one feel isolated, a family meal makes them feel closer and more atpeace.

If you have not engaged in thispractice, there is no better time than now. Getting everyone together to eatwithout distractions is going to take inner strength and resilience, but onceyou overcome the objections and excuses, your loved ones will start comingaround. In fact, your family might even look forward to the familymeal time.

There are both extrinsic and intrinsic benefits for eating together. Decidetoday that you will make the time and a lovingly prepared meal for your family.Everyone will thank you.

What is your sitter back-up plan?

2012-02-07T09:32:00.001-08:00

What is your babysitter back-up plan?

Kids are sick and home from school.

Nanny or regular sitter is sick.

Grandparents, friends are at work…

Ugh.

It is important for every family to have a go-to sitter service,group or person that you can rely on for those last minute curve balls. Check out this article on Daily Worth.They recommend strategizing, network and budgeting. I agree, be sure to have atleast two go-to sitters or agencies on speed dial in case the need arises,where you can call one of them and pretty much be guaranteed a sitter for thenext day.

Last Thursday I was at dinner around 10pm when I received thefrantic message, OUR NANNY IS SICK…HELP! Luckily we had a sitter at her placeat 8:30am the next day. But to alleviate stress be prepared with your back-up!

-LB

Downtown Parents: Your Winter Woes have been Solved!

2012-02-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

Prior to the Super bowl this Sunday, I enjoyed the launch of40-year old family run business J&R’s new baby…you guessed itJ&R Jr.

Kid zone at J & R

Thank goodness, a solution for downtown parents on where totake their tikes during those long winter weekends in NYC!

Father of two Jason Friedman, and son of J&R founderJoe wanted to develop a family hot spot that offers parents and particular newand expectant moms and dads a mix of excellent products and expertservice. Major brands that you can findin the store include: Quinny,Melissa& Doug, my personal new favorite LAZOO,Leapfrog & more!

A few of our LLD kiddies about to watch the Princess show!

Thanks to Dada Rocks forinviting LLD to be a part of the event!

Check out New York Family’s interview with Jason here.

For more information on J&R Jr. click here

-LB

Lil' tips from a LA LLD Sitter

2012-02-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles is a great place to spend quality time with your family especially outdoors. Meet our Los Angeles City Coordinator Paige Williams on what she tries to take full advantage of in LA with the lil’ ones:

The Grove - An outdoor mall with lots of things to do! Check online for weekly kid friendly activities hosted at the Grove
The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits - A fun hands on museum, with lots of outdoor playing space
The Los Angeles Zoo - The zoo has lions and tigers and bears! And also a park and brand new carrousel for the kids to ride!

Paige has been nannying/ baby-sitting for over 10 years. She has worked as a music teacher and swim instructor. She enjoys being creative, active, and fostering the growth of young children. Paige loves entertaining the children she babysits whether its creating and performing a princess musical in the living room or playing soccer in the park.

If you are interested in becoming a LLD LA family or sitter please contact paige.williams@luckylildarlings.com

In a time crunch? We can help!

2012-02-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Did anyone see the recent article in “The Wall Street Journal” Is a Babysitter the Answer? Click here to read.

Basically this mother has managed without a sitter for years, but for the first time in her life the kid’s schedules are too hectic and she is in need of an extra pair of hands. She found a sitter and then the sitter canceled the following week which left her and her husband scrambling at the last hour.

Eureka, I have the solution! She needs a reliable sitter group that she can call on when she needs that go-to sitter. Have one great sitter hired, and then have a rotation of other sitters that can fill in if she cannot make it for some reason. Problem solved you are never left in the dark, there is a helpful troupe waiting to serve.

Let us know what you think of the article!

Valentine's Day Packages!

2012-01-31T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hey Dads! Lost at where to start for Valentine’s Day but want to give your partner the perfect gift? Looking for something different this year? How about one of our LLD customized packages? We will help guide you towards the perfect Valentine’s gift specialized to your partner’s favorite places, products and more! And the BEST part-we will provide you with a babysitter to cover the kids while your partner enjoys!

Email Lindsay to get your gift set-up today lindsay.bell@luckylildarlings.com

New Way to Bring Balance to Your Family

2012-01-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Della Clark,former Division I NCAA All-American, uses the power of sports to empowerchildren and teach them lifelong values.

I recently sat down with Della, who is also a certified Reiki Practitioner.Reiki is the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allowsone to manifest a life of happiness, harmony and health.

Her number one goal no matter who she works with is to help them create a lifeoverflowing with happiness, health and harmony. The former All-American usesthe power of sports and Reiki to empower children. Reiki is a simple, naturaland safe method of healing that works with the body, emotions, mind and spirit.Through speaking with Della one can really see her passion for helping othersand the positive effects Reiki has had on the families she has workedwith. Each family is creating a healthier, more organized and calm householdfor their children.

Through Della's many years in competitive sports she truly learned of the power athletics has to contribute to a well balanced life. "Participationin sports transcends cultures, background and situations to teach us healthy competition, equality and sportsmanship," said Della.

Della helps families create opportunities to involve their children in sports andteach them lifelong lessons.

For more info contact Della at del.clark864@gmail.com

Weekend Ideas for NY, CT, and LA LLD Families

2012-01-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

Want to mix up your weekend routine a little? With Januarycoming to a close, LLD has found some exciting events to kick off February andkeep your lil’ ones entertained for the whole weekend!

First, for all you New Yorkers out there, it is an absoluteMUST to stop by some of these kid-friendly Chinese New Year Events. ThisSaturday the 28^th, stroll on over to the Children’s Museum of Art at103 Charlton Street for the AroundThe World With CMA: Lunar New Year Event. From 10 to 5 your family canexplore the arts and culture of New York’s Chinese community. It promises to bean afternoon to remember filled with puppet performances, dances, and beautifulselections of art.

If inside isn’t your thing, why not head over to HeatherGarden in Fort Tyron Park (at the intersection of Cabrini Boulevard & Ft.Washington Ave.). This Saturday from 1-2:30 take your kids on their own littleadventure: ANature Scavenger Hunt! Using a more playful approach to learning,environmental educator Robin Sanchez will help your lil’ ones discover thegreat outdoors in one of their very own parks.

Don’t worry all our CT families, we haven’t forgotten aboutyou. This weekend and almost every weekend for the next couple months theAldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield will be hosting Family Friendly Drop In Weekends. Withself-guided and hands-on projects for the kids, you just can’t lose!

And that’s not all folks! If you pass through Stamford onSunday, you could enjoy a winter hike, perform science experiments like makingslime and crystal snowflakes, or even meet some animals up close and personalat the StamfordMuseum’s Sunday Explorers, Admission is free and they’ll be there from 1 to3:30!

Last, but certainly not least, we found some Chinese NewYear themed events for all our families in LA. Who could resist the Golden Dragon Parade indowntown LA. The colorful celebration notes the first day of the lunar New Year.Beginning at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Broadway, your kids will lovethe bands, entertainers, cultural groups, giant floats, and of course, the enormousgolden dragon.

To continue the festivities, stop by Monterey Park where 130different booths will fill with vendors selling food, music, arts and craftsand so much more! Your kids will love the traditional firecrackers, the Lionand Dragon dances, martial arts, and a sparkling carousel. This ChineseNew Year Festival is not one to miss!

Have a delightful weekend to all our families!!

Reliable Childcare Makes for a Well Balanced Family

2012-01-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

Childcare is an investment. I realize that on every level andI’m not yet a mother. It is timely. Itis a financial commitment. Click hereto read Denise Schipani’s post on Daily Worth, she spent over $80,000 onchildcare while her children were growing up and she says it was worth everypenny. Finally, it is an emotional commitment. But in the end, done right, itmakes for a happier, healthier and better balanced family.

The trick is finding the best childcare that works for yourfamily. And how may one go around doing that? Clickhere for my tips, as featured on The Healthy Elements Blog, on finding reliable childcare for you!

-LB

Snack time made Fun!

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Once again it is snack time and I have just returned from thegrocery store with a hungry, fussy three year old.

I have just started to unload the car full of groceries and out ofthe corner of her eye she spots the bight colored FunBites. I explained to her that they arefor making food fun to eat. With that, she pushed me out of the way to startmaking her very own creative snack. I showed her just once with a slice ofcheese. She LOVED the fact that she could make it solo. Ms. Independent. Notonly did she make it herself, but she counted and grouped all her bites togetherbefore she ate EVERYTHING.

The best part for me was that it kept my daughter entertainedso I could put all the groceries away! Thank you FunBites for a great wayto eat a healthy snack and giving mom a quiet ten minutes to put everything away!

Funbites is the first and only kitchen tool to cut kids’ foodinto FUN-SHAPED BITE-SIZED PIECES. It goes beyond sandwich cutters andworks on a variety of foods like pancakes, burgers, brownies and more! FunBites promises to get kids to try new things and eat healthier. It’smealtime made stress-free and fun. Use code FreeShipJan at checkout for 15% off your entire order until 1/31/12.

Written by Ilene Young, mother of one and LLD City Coordinator in Connecticut.Ilene can be reached at ilene.young@luckylildarlings.com

5 signs of a great sitter

2012-01-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

When do you know you found a top-notch sitter? Here are my 5signs of a great sitter!

Sheasks questions! Your sitter is through, savvy & smart. You know you found agem if she asks you for the 411 before she starts babysitting. Does your lil’one have allergies? Can you give me a tour of your home so I know whereeverything is? Is there anything you need me to do for you when the kids fallasleep?

Shedoesn’t look at her phone every 5 minutes. The sitter’s attention should befully on your child. I frequently see nannies pushing strollers talking ontheir phones. How can a childcare provider push a stroller, hold up a phone upto her ear and pay attention to your child’s needs? I understand the headset inone ear and the other ear for the child for a quick call, but long time phoneconversations are a NO. Also, I don’t like when sitters are constantly texting.Never should a sitter answer a phone call on the job when the kids are awake, unlessthey ask permission ahead of time.

She isCPR Trained/Certified and knows the ropes of fire safety. Wouldn’t you feel safer if your childcare providercould administer CPR if necessary? Or if someone is choking and your childneeds the Heimlich? Go with someone thatis confident, educated and prepared.

College-Educated& Professional. She has her 4-year degree, and possibly beyond. She is workingfull/part-time and has an impressive career. She’s well rounded, traveled and brings her experience to provide thebest childcare for your child.

Shecan put on a show! Your child learns something new from her every time. Sheeither brings activities, or has some great new activity for the kids to playwith. She’s unique and fun, and your child looks forward to her visit every time.

-LB

Weekend Must Do's for Your Lil' Ones

2012-01-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

Meetour new LLD sitter Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP who is a Manhattan based PersonalChef, Culinary Nutritionist, Whole Living Expert, Professional Recipe Developerand Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free 'Clean' recipes for the home. Amie is the author of the blog, The Healthy Apple andthe Publisher and Marketing Director of theonline gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats. She workshands-on with families as a Personal Chef and HealthyFamily Pantry Stylist to guide them through their transitioninto a healthier lifestyle. Amie works with Whole Foods Market as their Gluten-FreeManhattan Cooking Instructor and is a Gluten-Free IndustryInnovator when it comes to helping clients, the community, companiesand client live a healthy and happy life. If you are interested in learningmore about her services + babysitting email us!

Here are Amie's Weekend To-Do'sfor Kids:

NYC Kid's Food Festival: Take your kids to the 1st Kid's FoodFestival this weekend at Bryant Park. I'll be presenting on Sunday at3PM but stop by all weekend for free activities about making balanced foodchoices through flavor and fun!

Union Square Farmers Market: Even though it'sgoing to snow tomorrow, head out to the Union Square Farmers Market to pick upsome brussels sprouts and squash to roast with your kids for a warming meal.Come meet me on Saturday in Union Square for market shopping!

Saturday Family Programs: Celebrate Chinese New Year: Celebratethe New Lunar Year with Grace Chang and her dragon Jin Jin at the Brooklyn Public Library.

5 Tips for Balancing Hormones Naturally

2012-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

Nicole Jardim is acertified women's holistic health coach specializing in the treatment ofhormonal imbalances that cause conditions like PMS, fibroids, infertility andendometriosis.

1. Avoid caffeine(coffee, soda and other “energy” drinks):

Caffeine increases estrogenlevels. Studies have shown that drinking just two cups of coffee a day boostslevels of estradiol, a natural estrogen. Every woman has anatural, individualized ratio of estrogen and progesterone that surges andrecedes to make up her unique menstrual cycle. When estrogen is too high andprogesterone is too low, it tends to irritate the nervous system causinganxiety, irritability and insomnia. On theflip side, progesterone is a natural diuretic, sleep aid, anti-anxietycompound, and metabolism stimulator. It acts like Valium.

2. Avoid dairyproducts: Sohere’s the scoop - most dairy in the US comes from factory farms, where cowsare fed products not natural to their diet, such as grain, corn and soy. Someare injected with bioengineered hormones that forces the cows to produce moremilk than their bodies normally would. This over-stimulation of the cow’s uddercauses it to become infected, thus requiring antibiotics. As a result, theseadded hormones and antibiotics reside in the milk, which interfere with thefemale hormonal system - most notably changing the way hormones are metabolizedin the bowel and ultimately changing our hormonal levels.

Nicole & her God child

3. Choose organicfish and meat when possible: Non-organic animalsare fed estrogenic steroids to fatten them up. When we eat these foods, theestrogenic compounds are passed into our blood stream causing a rise inestrogen levels. This ultimately leads to estrogen dominance. Estrogendominance has been linked to some unpleasant conditions such asmigraines, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, infertility, weight gain and irregularperiods.

4. Eat full fatproducts (skip fat-free products): Low-fat diets are one of the main reasonsso many women have hormonal imbalances. We know this may sound crazy sincewe’ve been told for years to cut out fat but fat is yourfriend! We’renot condoning over-consumption of fat or cholesterol by any means but guesswhat? Your hormones aremade out of cholesterol. If you don’t eat enough cholesterol,your body can’t make hormones. If you are not eating sufficient amounts of fat andcholesterol, you could be exacerbating your hormonal imbalance. Natural, healthy fats include olive oil, coconut oil, butter, avocados,nuts, seeds, and fish.

5. Stop the stress: Okay, we know thatthis isn’t entirely possible but you sure need to try. Here’s why: studies haveshown that stress affects the endocrine system in such a way that it throws offour hormonal balance, which can literally stop ovulation from happening.Therefore, it is important to find ways to lessen the load and start havingsome FUN! Try yoga, guided meditations or an exercise routine that you actuallylike.

Nicole is a women’sholistic health counselor specializing in the treatment of hormonal imbalancesthrough food and lifestyle modification. Her latest program is called Fix YourPeriod – 8 Weeks to Better Periods in 2012. Go to www.fixyourperiod.comfor all the details. You can contact herat nicole@thehealthyelements.comor visit her website at www.thehealthyelements.com.

2012-01-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Checkout what I heard from Daily Candy Kids! The ibaby Video Monitor for iphones andipads!

Bigbrother is watching. So is the babysitter on her iPad, dad on his iPhone, andmom on her office computer.

Asmany as four people at once can keep an eye on your prize with the iBabyMonitor — the only mobile video monitor with two-way audio that we have spiedon the market.

High-techdoesn’t mean complicated. Just download the app to your iPhone, iPad, orcomputer; plug the monitor into your network to register; and install thecamera in the room. Our favorite perk is that you can control the camera lenswith just a swipe of your finger. So if your little Houdini disappears fromview, drag your finger across the screen to find him.

Alertsare issued when baby lets out a cry or makes a move. Two-way audio capabilitieslet you give a comforting “shhhh” from anywhere you have a connection. Plus,infrared night vision allows you to spy on baby in the middle of the night. Youcan even take pictures of tushy-up sleeping using your device’s camera.

Available online at store.apple.com, $200. Formore information, go to ibabylabs.com.

New Family Friendly Center in Westchester!

2012-01-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Looking for anew family friendly day activity? How about Westchester's Ridge Hill center? Ichecked it out today and despite the chilly temps, it was perfect to walkaround and get some fresh air. They just newly opened, so only a few stores areup and running, but it was enough for me; GAP, Old Navy, H&M, Orvis,Desigual, Charming CHARLIE and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Creativelydesigned to be gracious and magnificent, yet comfortable and charming,Westchester's Ridge Hill is the ideal environment for shopping, dining,strolling, lounging and enjoying. A captivating village green sets the stagefor evening entertainment. Comfortable outdoor furniture and lively fountainsoffer a sense of both engagement and tranquility to nurture the spirit andprolong the visit.

Westchester's Ridge Hill has an eclectic mix of specialtyboutiques, national retailers, tempting restaurants and engaging entertainmentvenues. Charming architecture and inviting amenities add to the anticipation ofan exciting shopping experience.

My favorite spot was the kids playgrounddesigned like a cartoon character conveniently located by the Cheesecakefactory. There are benches around the area for moms to sit and sip coffee whilethe kids enjoy.

For more info visit http://westchestersridgehill.com/

Dana's Kids gives advice about New Years Resolutions

2012-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

Resolutions forthe New Year are often made and easily forgotten. When we set manageable goals, we’re more likely to stickwith our resolutions. Check outour friends at Dana’s Kids they believethat empowered parents create happy families. With that in mind, check out founder of Dana’s Kids DanaRosenbloom’s top 3 realisticparenting tips for starting the year off right (and keeping it that way)!

Consistency-Children whose parents andcaregivers are consistent have an easier time internalizing and following therules. They tantrum less and makebetter choices. Talk to yourpartner and your child’s caregivers to make sure you are on the same page.
Compliments-This year use specific praise. Tell your child exactly what is wasthat you are complimenting. Remember to encourage your children to be proud of their ownaccomplishments as well. Forexample, “You put on your shoes and coat all by yourself today. Great job. You must feel so proud!”
Quality time-Do your best to set aside, even 10 minutes, ofuninterrupted interaction with your children. Talk, play, eat, hug, but mostimportantly, connect! A wise woman once told me: “Listen to a child and makesure you understand them as if you were going to be tested on it later.” Whatcould be better, for both of you, than knowing your child in this way? Ipromise, it will make you both feel terrific!

Dana Rosenbloom has amaster’s degree in Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention and hasbeen working with children and families for over 10 years. Dana’s Kids providesparent education, play therapy, special education services, parent workshopsand support groups, and professional development. To learn more about Dana andDana’s Kids please visit www.DanasKids.com. You can also follow Dana on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanasKids1and Twitter: @DJRkids

Dana's Kids.

empowered parents,happy families.

2012-01-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

Big City Moms, always supporting LLD, invited us to their Sleep Experts Lunch to speak about theimportance of communicating bedtime routines to your sitter. Here are a fewimportant tips!

1. Give your sitter a tour of your home. Show your sitter the kids rooms, pointout dangerous areas you want the kids to stay away from and give specificinstructions on how things work.

2. Bedtime Rules. Talk to your sitter about your bedtime routine with the kidsi.e. What time do you begin to wind down the night? What is your child'sfavorite story and/or bedtime song? What time should they be asleep by?

3. Special Instructions. Are there any special rules you have? Do yourkids have any allergies the sitter should know about? Are the kids sick andneed medicine?

4. Exchange Contact Info. Be sure to leave your sitter with your cell phone andan emergency contact numbers. Be sure to get her cell phone number so that youcan text her throughout the night if you have any questions or to check in.

5. Anything else? Sitters are happy to lend a helping hand. If you'd like themto unload the dishwasher or change the laundry most sitters won't mind. Especiallyonce they have been at your home a few times and you feel connected to them.They will be happy to help!

I stayedto listen to Kira Ryan, mom, sleep lover and co-founder of Dream Team, speak about her infant& toddler sleep tips.Here are a few!

· Newborns shouldget 15-18 hours of sleep per day (24hrs)

· A goodbedtime for an infant is between 6-8pm

· Signs of asleepy infant: the cry is different, no engagement or eye contact, fussy

· What is normal?

o Up to 6 mo infants take naps every1 ½ -2 hours

o At 6mo infants usually take 2 napsper day

o 15-18 mo 1 long nap in the afternoon

o Naps or ‘quiet time’ isrecommended up to 3-4 years

· Whitenoise machines are great especially for city noise

· Cribshould be a sleep sanctuary, anything that screams party or playground shouldbe removed

· Check the nurserytemperature! It should be between 68-72 F.

· Is theroom dark enough? Get blackout shades!

For moreinfo on Dream Team click here ormore info on Big City Mom events clickhere.

I'm obsessed with CleanWell wipes

2012-01-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

It'scold season. Gross I know. LLD families know better and are prepared. A commonhousehold item my sitters and I have spotted recently is CleanWell's To-GoDisinfectant Spray. It cleans, disinfects & deodorizes + kills influenzavirus including H1N1. Nice.

Thisno fuss spray can be easily packed into your purse or diaper bag. Quickly cleanthe kid’s toys at daycare or sanitize the high chair at your favorite localdiner or spray down the table before serving the kids their meal.

Use code CWECQ1 for 20% off plus a free gift now through 3/15/12!

Spraymay not be the best choice for wiping down the kids face after he/ she findsyour chocolate stash in your bag and smears it all over their face, so opt forthe To-Go Disinfectant Wipes. They work like a charm.

Thereare very few products I can't live without and these CleanWell wipes are quickly becoming one of them. Clickhere to purchase CleanWell

Use code CWECQ1 for 20% off plus a free gift now through 3/15/12!

We LOVE BuggyLOVE!

2012-01-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hey LLD check out what our new pal Kristy McLellan founderof BuggyLOVE has to say about what to do in NYC this weekend!

It's 27 degrees inNYC and we have an active 3 yr old. Since it's warming up to a balmy 48 degreeson Sat, I decided to concoct a plan so my husband can yell at the Giants inpeace by Sun. On tap: Cram into The Smithbefore the brunch madness starts, hike up to the Hayden Planetarium with a pitstop at the always crowded American Girl for a new "must have"something. Post museum, hit Wollman Rink for some fresh air and skate time. Next, carefully shield Chloe's eyes as wepass FAO Schwarz and head back downtown to Union Sq playground. End the daywith an early dinner at Gigino's in TriBeCa or Mary's Fish Camp in the WestVillage, but only if we can get the coveted corner table.

Two guarantees. One - the day will be fun!And two - our Zoomy (aka stroller) will take a beating. Its swanky wheels willsqueak from all the nonsense we crammed in the undercarriage. It will smell like whatever restaurant we atein. It will have some type of liquid on the seat and I will be generallygrossed out by how many strangers it met that day. Thank heavens for BuggyLOVE, the only organiccleaning kit for strollers on the market. WheelLOVE will silence the squeaks, PolishLOVE will get the grime offthe frame and tires, FabricLOVE will get the mystery stains out and FreshLOVEwill make it all smell like new. Thenight will end like this - sleeping, happy kid, Daddy on stroller cleaning dutyand Mommy sipping a glass of wine in silence. Ahhhh - thank you BuggyLOVE!!

Thanks Kristy! We can't wait for all our families to hear about BuggyLOVE! To learn more about these helpful little kits, visit the BuggyLOVE Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Emergency Mani/Pedi?? Nail Taxi NYC to the rescue!

2012-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been stuck in the office and really need that manicure? Nail Taxi can come to your rescue! Since 2005, Nail Taxi has been serving women by visiting them at their homes, in the hospital, at their office, and even at or before their weekend parties and providing them with top-notch manis and pedis. There are locations all over the USA in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Washington D.C, and of course, NYC. Nail Taxi offers basic manicures and pedicures and even signature services that include a relaxing soak, massage, and a revitalizing mask or scrub. Who wouldn't want to have a Peppermint Pleasure Pedicure or Cinnamon Bun Manicure in the comfort of their own home! After talking with Danielle, the owner of Nail Taxi NYC, we were able to get the back story on how she started the business in New York. Keep reading for some exciting news about the future of her businses!!

How did you come up with the idea of Nail Taxi NYC?
Prior to owning Nail Taxi NYC, I owned Passionate Planning, a spa andevent planning company in Long Island. The success in Long Island intrigued meto branch out to, NYC. As I researchedthe mobile spas in NYC, I noticed that Nail Taxi was well known for fashionweek events but no one owned the licensee. Fast forward, Passionate Planning and Nail Taxi merged. Nail Taxi Nyc is a licensee with severallocations around the USA. My family andI own the NY licensee.

Tell us some great benefits for moms that use your service?
Moms love our services because we bring the spa to them while thebabies or toddlers are napping, at play dates or at school. Most moms prefer evening appointments; theyput the children to bed, settle down with a glass of wine and treat themselvesto a spa mani/pedi. We value client suggestions! In Spring 2012, we arelaunching Spa Taxi. An exclusive sistercompany only in New York. Spa Taxi willoffer skincare, weight loss, body treatments and more.

Where is Nail Taxi NYC now availablefor moms?

We currently offer services inthe five boroughs and Nassau County. Weare looking forward to offering services in Suffolk County and the Hamptonsthis summer.

Thanks so much Danielle for all this great inside info! Visit Nail Taxi NYC's facebook and follow them on twitter to stay up to date on deals as well as the development of Spa Taxi!

Kids + Relaxation=The Beloved

2012-01-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

Confusedon matching kids + relaxation?

The cureis TheBeloved in Playa Mujeres, Mexico.

This placeis parent’s paradise meets kids playground. I have been to many family resortsin my years of babysitting and The Beloved joins the big leagues in my holidayhandbook. As you know I'm not yet a mommy, but many of you parents can relateon being completely unfazed by kids splashing in a pool or throwing sand on thebeach. There was plenty of that, but in a way it made me feel more at homehaving all the families nearby. It was a sense of safety being in far off

Mexico.

The KidsClub is free to guests ages 4-12 and includes activities like mask making, facepainting, and traditional Mexican pinata making. The building is so cool in theshape of a huge spool of thread fully loaded with activities to wear out youlil' ones.

This allinclusive hotel serves up top- notch gourmet meals, you are served beach &pool side by the friendliest of staff who will bring you an array of snacks andalcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages. It is absolute bliss.

Hey I evenpicked up on some great new baby names from the shouts at the kids life sizechess game. Ainsley was my favorite.

The resortis only about 25 minutes from Cancun airport an easy hike into paradise.

-LB

Pure Yoga is the ticket to prolong your paradise vacation

2012-01-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year LLD!

I hope that you are off to a relaxing andoptimistic start to 2012!

I began my New Year in Mexico on the tropical island of Playa Mujeres. More to come on my experience in a bit. But I didn't want my trip to end, so I decided to go to the one place that keeps tropical paradise alive. Pure Yoga. I took the Hot Power Yoga class, which is aperfect combination of stretching, meditationand flow. Eric Elven is the instructor on Tuesday’s at 8:30am, and he is sochill in directing us through every move. The hot powered yoga class is taught in a room heated to 100 degrees. The heat providesfor a detoxifying sweat while you flow through an athletic and dynamic sequenceof postures. What a great way to start your day. The friendly staff is there to answer any of yourquestions after the class.

Click here for a classschedule. If you interested in a trial offer click here http://www.pureyoga.com/en/newyork/purecontracts/enquiry.php formore info.

Do you need to Cut the Clutter in your house?

2011-12-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

Do you throw everything to the floor in your closet when you are scampering for an outfit? Is your office a dangerous war zone littered with piles of paper about to collapse everywhere you move? Cut the Clutter can help you! Founded in 2008 by a Long Island native, Natalie Schrier, Cut the Clutter can organize anything: kitchens, bathrooms, garages, bedrooms, offices, and those dreaded closets. LLD was able to talk to Natalie about the ambition behind her business and what really gets her motivated to Cut the Clutter and help people all over New York.

How did Cut theClutter begin?
Truth? I was tired of working in corporate America, Iwanted to be my own boss, and organizing is what I'm good at! I starteddoing research, discovered that there was a whole professional organizingindustry out there, and boom - instant entrepreneurship! I don't know ifthat's such an interesting story though :).

Why did you chose todo organizing?
I'vealways been organized, and a career as a professional organizer allows me totap into that, as well as use my background in Psychology.

Whatkinds of spaces do you organize?
Closets,home offices, play rooms, kitchens, everything! Paper clutter, generalde-cluttering... you name it, I do it!

What is your favoritepart of the job?
Allof it!! But if I had to name my top 3 favorite parts, #1 - Helping people- it's really rewarding and gratifying! #2 - The challenge of making aspace functional (I'm super competitive, even with myself!) #3 - Meetingso many interesting and unique individuals, most of whom have a sense of humor:).

Give us the 411 of howsomeone can start using your services?
Emailme at natalie@cut-the-clutter.com, visit www.cut-the-clutter.com or give me a call at 646-734-3802. I offer acomplimentary in-home consultation for all clients. "Like" CutThe Clutter on Facebook tosee organizing tips, articles and fun before and after photos. Follow CutThe Clutter on Twitter.

Tell us about thesebefore and after photos!
Thosepictures are from one of my first clients almost 3 years ago! She calledme when she couldn't find her Uggs in her chaotic closet (there were all sortsof clothes and shoes piled up about 2 feet off the floor of the closet) and shejust got fed up. We worked together for 6.5 hours and purged 15 big trashbags of clothing/shoes. Grouped like items together. Swapped outall of her old chunky hangers for slimline hangers AND to help the clientget a better idea of what she was wearing/not wearing going forward, we turnedall of the hangers backwards - whenever she wore something and put it back, thehanger got hung the correct way. This way she could see at-a-glance atthe end of a season which articles didn't make the cut and should therefore bepurged. The end result? A totally functional and unclutteredcloset!

Want to ring in the New Years before bedtime?

2011-12-28T05:45:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays & almost new year LLD! If you're in NYC for New Years- Ring in the New Year Before Bedtime with this cool event we found from a recent Diva Moms newsletter!New Years Eve Family Parties!Balloons, Face Painting and More! Saturday, December 31st 2pm-6pm Atlantic Grill East SideBill's Bar & Burger Rockefeller CenterBills's Bar and Burger Meatpacking DistrictIsabella's Upper West SideWildWood Barbeque Park Avenue SouthReservations are recommended, please call the restaurant of your choice to secure your family reservation.Happy New Year! 2012!