GIVEAWAY!! Win a Six Pack of Dinners from Cookin' Dinners

I'll look for ANY excuse not to cook but the heat is one of my favorites! How awesome would it be to have SIX family dinners from Cookin' Dinners (value $205) delivered right to your door this summer? To make this dream a reality, just post a comment below (scroll down for full list of rules).

Cookin' Dinners provides everything you need to assemble a variety of delicious, healthy dinners to take home and serve in the days or weeks ahead. Don't waste time shoppin', choppin' and moppin'!

Click here to view their mouthwatering menu.


GIVEAWAY! One lucky FCC subscriber will win a six pack of premade meals delivered right to your door! To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post!

Plus, save 20% when you sign up for one 6 pack a month package!

www.cookindinners.com

GIVEAWAY RULES

• To win a 6 pack of dinners from Cookin' Dinners, just post a comment below with your favorite easy summer meal. No recipe needed - just something simple like Grilled Salmon, Fresh Basil Pesto over Pasta & a Salad (that's mine!)
• Include your first name and town (ex. Meg from Stamford)
• You MUST be a FairfieldCountyChild.com subscriber to win. Not a subscriber? Just click here to become one.
• Enter by Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 5pm
• Bonus entries will be given to anyone who Tweets about this giveaway or posts it to their Facebook profile. Just let me know in your comment that you did so.
• Check back here on Thursday when I'll announce the winner!
• Good luck and thank you Cookin' Dinners!

FREE Event for Parents Tomorrow (6/2) at Fat Cat Joe in Norwalk!

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2^ND 6 – 9:00

FAT CAT JOE * 3 WALL ST * NORWALK 

KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN & FAMILY HEALTHY

~ In Body, Mind, & Spirit ~

Using Environmentally Conscious Practices! 

FOUR FEATURED SPEAKERS  

* Dalma Heyn – best-selling author seen on Oprah! and Larry King Live will talk about love and relationships. “Dating Again, When Your Kids Hate the Man You Love (or When His Kids Hate You)” Lecture begins 7pm

* Jill Marie Kleiber, L.A.C. – specializing in women’s health.

“Intro to Acupuncture: Find Out How It Works and Why” live demo. Lecture begins 6:30pm

* Archana Kulkarni – Learn about Ayurvedic dietary and lifestyle tips.  “The Secrets of Family Health with Ayurveda”

Lecture begins 8pm

* Nanette Ginise, LMT – TCM, Acupressure & Reflexology practitioner and teacher. “Happy Feet:  Introducing Children to Reflexology” Lecture begins 8:30pm

ALSO VISIT BOOTHS FROM THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES: 

THE MAGDALENE, PATH TO HEALING, GREEN DRINKS, CENTRE FOR NATURAL HEALING, PYMANDER, NEW ENGLAND PHYSICAL CARE, AIKIDO OF NORWALK, THE AQUARIUM, NORWALK RIVER ROWING ASSOCIATION, NU-YOGA, THE STAND, SARASWATI’S YOGA JOINT 

* BRING YOUR CHILDREN! *

* ALCOHOL-FREE ENVIRONMENT *

* YUMMY ORGANIC GALAXY COOKIES *

* FAT CAT PIE COMPANY REFRESHMENTS *

FREE Storytime & Morning for Moms at Rings End in Norwalk Tomorrow

It's Monday and my brain is still in slow-mo. No need to reinvent the wheel here. All the details about this fun free event for moms and kids tomorrow at Rings End is over at NorwalkPlus. I'm loving this idea.. kids get some entertainment while moms can learn how to create a great reading nook at home from a professional designer. The seminar starts at 10:30am.

Click here for all the details.

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Idea...

Still looking for a Mother's Day gift (for yourself or someone else)? Aetheria Spa in New Canaan has a special Mother's Day menu. Check it here. I'll take one of each, thank you.

While you're visiting the site, you might notice that yours truly has a little guest blog post on the Aetherial Living blog at www.aetheriaspa.blogspot.com

BUMPS BABIES & BEYOND This Sunday at The Loading Dock: Admission is FREE in Advance

What are you up to on Sunday? Grab some mom friends and come to The Loading Dock in Stamford for the Bumps, Babies & Beyond Expo. Win some prizes, do some shopping, listen to some guest speakers. It's a day just for moms and moms to be.

When:       Sunday, April 25th from 10:00am - 4:00pm
WHERE:  The Loading Dock, Stamford, CT
COST: Now FREE to attend if you sign up before 4/24. Cost at the door is $5 per person.
TO REGISTER: Send an email to events@mytimeforme.com with name, email and city of all those attending.

Everyone signed up in advance will be entered into a drawing for great prizes like a luxurious spa experience from Aetheria Spa, tickets to the Regis and Kelly show, Stroller Strides gift certificate, delicious Chocopologie chocolate and many other exciting prizes.

Event Details

Receive Great Products, Services, Shopping Opportunities and Information From:

Ashley Petite, Au Pair Care, Dr. Brian Yomtov, Cultural Care Au Pair & Mary Kay, Destination Maternity, Family Centers, First Friend Dog Training, Frittabello, LLC, Green Moon/Organized Playgroups, Greenwich Family YMCA, Good As Gold Girls, Little Riders LLC, Mary Grace Designs, New York Life Insurance, Nicole Taylor Photography, Northwestern Mutual, Pippen Alley Paperie, Peggy Garbus Photography, Safety 1st Squad, Southern Yankee, LLC, Tender Tidings, Women of Wellness


Plus hear from speakers throughout the day on topics including:
*Dealing with the Emotional & Financial Transition to Parenthood*
*Healthy Babies, Happy Moms*
*K.I.S.S Your Baby, Keep it Simple & Stress Free*
*Dogs, Diapers & Beyond*
*A Holistic Approach to Raising Your Baby*
*Plus hear from the Women of Wellness*

Learn more at the Bumps, Babies & Beyond Expo Website

FREE Fitness Class for Moms-to-Be this Saturday at the Tully Center's Health & Fitness Institute in Stamford!

Elaine Petrone

There's still time to register for the Miracle Ball Workshop on Saturday, April 10 from 1-2:30 at Tully Health Center in Stamford. Just mention FairfieldCountyChild.com when you register and the $20 fee will be waived!

Call 203-2764567 to register or for more information e-mail the instructor Elaine Petrone at elaine@elainepetrone.com. You can read more about Elaine on her site at www.elainepetrone.com or read on for more about her Miracle Ball method.

Why the Miracle Ball Method for Moms?

The Miracle Ball Method works on both muscles and your skeletal alignment. Exercise works on your muscles. Pregnancy is a huge challenge for your muscles and the alignment of your skeleton. Think of the skeleton as your underlying infrastructure for your whole body. As the baby or babies grow the muscles, and eventually the bones accommodate the size of the baby in your belly. The tilting of the pelvis can put pressure on low back, cause sciatic pain, make it difficult to sleep, fatigue just to name a few of the discomforts women face during pregnancy. These physical challenges can make a person feel overwhelmed emotionally as well.

The Miracle Ball Method for Moms workshop this Saturday at The Tully Health Center Health and Fitness Institute will help you to adjust your whole body. This will take the pressure off the areas that are tight while toning you up and relaxing your mind and body. You will sleep better and learn things you can do throughout your pregnancy to keep that beautiful body strong but not stiff.

An 8 week program will follow Saturday's class beginning Saturday May 22nd. 

www.elainepetrone.com

Mommy 101 to the Rescue!

You should see me right now. No, I didn't get punched in both eyes, I just haven't slept in days! My 4-month-old *great sleeper* has decided she no longer needs to sleep. She went from sleeping 8 hour stretches to waking every 3 hours for the past two weeks or so. And she won't stop nursing. She wants to eat non-stop. Throw in a 3-year-old and a busy schedule and I am just about falling apart. 

Boy was I happy to meet Mary Ann Farrell last Friday. She's a registered nurse and owner of Mommy 101. Mommy 101 provides in -home nursing care to mothers and their newborns in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. She gave a talk to the Stroller Strides group last week at The Stamford Mall and  I was lucky enough to sit in. She offered some really great advice about how to get your baby on a schedule and how to promote healthy sleep habits. Mary Ann has 3 kids of her own and many years of experience in the neonatal intensive care and maternity unit at Greenwich Hospital. She'll come to your home to guide you through those early, difficult months of a baby's life. I wanted to take her home with me! She's sweet and calming and I can only imagine how great it would be to have her by your side, especially if grandma is too far away to help.

The poor woman. I was drilling her with questions about how to get my baby to sleep more, nurse less and transition to the bottle. I'm in the process of implementing her suggestions. It's taking some time and patience, but I have faith in Mary Ann's advice. I'll keep you posted about the progress (wish me luck!).

If you're struggling too,  visit the Mommy 101 web site at www.Mommy101.net and tell Mary Ann I sent you. Good luck!

Exclusive for FCC Readers! FREE Prenatal Fitness Class at Stamford Hospital This Saturday March 6!

Hey preggers! Get this... you can attend this prenatal fitness class for FREE this Saturday March 6 at Stamford Hospital. Just mention FairfieldCountyChild.com when you call to sign up. Hurry! Space is limited. 

For more information about the instructor, visit www.ElainePetrone.com

Phone: 203.276.4567

What's Your Favorite Grown Up Restaurant in Fairfield County?

Ok enough with all this kid stuff! Sometimes a girl's got to get out without the little whiny brats cuties. Whether it's for *date night* or *girls night*, I want to know your favorite grown up restaurant in Fairfield County. Please post your favorites below...

I found a new favorite spot. Thanks to my friend Lynn for the recommendation! On Saturday I had a hot date at Lolita's in Byram with the hubby. Can't rave enough about this place. It felt like such an escape from the ordinary dining experience in Fairfield County. Lolita's serves traditional Mexican food and they're known for their impressive Tequila selection (over 100 varieties). 

I sound like such a lame suburbanite but what really impressed me about Lolita's were all the quirky little details about the place -  like the black and white cowboy movies projected onto the exterior of the restaurant, the cozy bar/lounge area with sofas and with a dj spinning, the complimentary tequila served over dry ice to start the meal and cotton candy for dessert, the funky decor (blood red chandeliers, dim moody lighting) and the temporary tattoo I was handed on my way out (huh?). I mean, you don't see too much of this here in Fairfield County. Am I right or am I right? All in all it was an amazing romantic night out. 

Here's what we ate: Salmon Coco (for me) Skirt Steak  (for hubby) Lobster Enchilada (shared app) Bananarama (shared dessert). I topped it off with a margarita or two. Divine. All of it was divine and I can't wait to get back in warmer weather to dine al fresco. 

Have you been to Lolita's? What'd you think? What's your favorite grown up restaurant?! Thanks for sharing!

www.lolitasmexican.com

$50 Spa Treatments at Aetheria Relaxation Spa in New Canaan March 9-13.

Please welcome FCC's latest sponsor, Aetheria Relaxation Spa in New Canaan!

Stressed? Aetheria Relaxation Spa, in conjunction with SpaFinder, welcomes first-timers as well as old friends to reserve a $50* spa treatment during the week long event, Spa Deal Days, March 9–13. Experience just how good pampering yourself can feel. 

For more information call 203.966.6650 or visit www.aetheriaspa.com. Appointments for select treatments are first come, first served, and space is limited. 

Go ahead, you deserve it!

*some restrictions apply

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER - TONIGHT'S *Money Doesn't Grow on Trees* at New Canaan Country School February 25

Is it just me, or do you find some humor in a lecture entitled *Money Doesn't Grow on Trees* at the New Canaan Country School (one of the priciest schools in the area)? I mean, c'mon! That's just funny.

Anyway, it does sound pretty informative. And it's FREE, so thought I'd pass it on. Click the image above for all the details.

Judith Warner at the Darien Library March 4

Here's a dirty little secret. I've only finished two books since the birth of my first baby 3+ years ago. You should see the stack of half-read books on my nightstand. This is hard for me to admit because I always considered myself such a reader. The first book I actually completed was The Happiest Baby on the Block and that was out of pure desperation during those early days as a first time mother when I just wanted the baby to sleep, dammit! For the record - it's a great, helpful book.

Book #2 is Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety by Judith Warner. If you're a mom, it's a must read. Warner is a New York Times columnist and mother who writes about the state of motherhood today and the book really struck a cord with me. Come to the Darien Library next Thursday March 4 at 7pm to meet the author and learn more about her latest book, We've Got Issues: Children and Parents in the Age of Medication.

I happened to catch a few minutes of an interview with Warner on NPR yesterday. If you're not familiar with her work, listen to this podcast to learn more. 

All the details about the event can be found on the Darien Library site. See you there!

It's a Gold Mine Parties Organized By a Local, Trustworthy Mom

Who couldn't use a little extra cash these days? I know we've all heard about selling our gold and I don't know about you, but I've been a little skeptical. Then I heard about It's a Gold Mine from my friend Sarina, a Rowayton mom. She's been working for It's a Gold Mine since last year and she'll meet with you face-to-face (no mailing your gold to some stranger!), assess and weigh your gold and write you a check on the spot, based on the value of gold that day.

You can learn all about It's a Gold Mine at www.itsagoldmineparty.com. There you'll read all about its stellar reputation and a recent Wall Street Journal article about its success.

You never know how much money is sitting in your jewelry box. A friend of mine recently attended one of Sarina's parties and walked out with $400! If you're interested in meeting with Sarina or if you'd be interested in hosting a gold party for you and your girlfriends, just email me at fairfieldcountychild@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with her directly.

You don't even need to sell gold to make money with It's A Gold Mine Party! If you host a party, you get :

· $100 for food and beverages

· 10% commission on all the checks written at the party (That 10% is paid out of It's A Gold Mine Party's pocket, NOT out of your guests gold sales. That hefty incentive is the company's way of saying THANK YOU for your time and coordination of the event and advertising the company in your home).

· You can also make an additional $100 referral fee for every party scheduled with someone who says your referred them. It's that easy! Fundraisers work the same way but the commission is 15%.

To learn more, please contact me and I'll put you in touch with Sarina.

Here’s what some Fairfield County party hosts are saying about Sarina and It’s a Gold Mine:

“Sarina’s very friendly and social personality made it very easy for people to relax and have a great time. It was nice to see people make their own decision about what to sell with confidence in the information she provided, no pressure!" Carlotta Caruso, New Canaan

“Sarina was a pleasure to work with. She maintained a professional attitude regarding her work but was warm and engaging toward all of my guests. It was fascinating to watch the process as she tested and weighed the gold and she was more than happy to answer all the many questions she received from her rapt audience! Everyone was delighted to enjoy an evening out and leave with a cheque!"

Victoria Herbert, Rowayton

“I learned about It’s A Gold Mine Party LLC by being invited to a party in the area this past fall. It was a great opportunity to clean out some old jewelry boxes and sell the gold (and meet some other great women!)— all in a very efficient and trustworthy way. I was impressed with Sarina’s knowledge of the gold selling area and felt I was getting an excellent price. I returned to sell more items one-on-one with Sarina. The whole experience could not have been more efficient or positive. I highly recommend them.” Karen R. Brown, Rowayton

FREE Talk for Parents at Stepping Stones February 27: Understanding the Whole Child

A friend just passed this on to me and thought I'd let you know too. It's a FREE talk for parents  at Stepping Stones in Norwalk and childcare is provided for kids over 2. Click the image above to enlarge and get all the details!

Calling Moms With Babies 4-24 Months! Share Your Opinion & Earn $150 - February 15 in Stamford

Hey moms! RazorFocus, a downtown Stamford marketing research company, is seeking mothers for focus groups on February 15th. Potential participants should have a child between the ages of 4 and 24 months. The times for the groups are 12:30, 2:30 and 5 PM. Participants will be paid $150 for their time and opinions plus a brief homework assignment that needs to be done before the group session.

If you are interested and available please call 203-504-3258 or e-mail Recruiter7@RazorFocus.net. When you contact RazorFucus, please make sure to mention that you were referred by FairfieldCountyChild.com.

RazorFocus is a member of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and the Marketing Research Association.

www.razorfocus.net

FREE Morning for Moms: Decorating for Kids at Rings End in Wilton on February 9

Don't miss this FREE class at Rings End in Wilton for moms on February 9. You'll learn about the four 'life stages' of children's rooms, why and how to involve children in decisions about decorating their personal space, and what's new in the kid's market, including the latest color trends. Attendees will receive a coupon for a free gallon of Benjamin Moore Natura Premium Interior Wall Paint.

Click here for all the details and don't forget to RSVP.

Save $30 at the Best Dry Cleaner for Busy Moms in Stamford, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Westport & Greenwich

Ok so this is not the most glamorous of posts, but I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't let you know about my fabulous dry cleaner. I've bounced from cleaner to cleaner since moving to this area in 2005. For awhile I was a loyal fan of the drive-thru cleaner (great for moms with kids in the car!). Then I switched to the cheapo cleaner when I was feeling especially frugal. We broke up after he destroyed one of my favorite tops. I'm now settled down with Crescent Cleaners in Stamford and I recommend you give them a try! If you live in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Westport or Greenwich, you can take advantage of Crescent's FREE home pick up and delivery of your dry cleaning. I've been using this service for the last few months and it's always reliable and all of our clothes come back looking great.

All the employees are very friendly and flexible at Crescent, especially my boy Frank, the owner (above). I'm the queen of last minute requests and I've never been disappointed. When you call to arrange for your pick up/delivery, just mention my name (Meg Robustelli) to receive three $10 coupons toward your dry cleaning (new customers only).

www.crescentdrycleaners.com
67 Crescent Street, Stamford
203.323.0507

Boden Focus Group Participants Needed: Earn $150 or $250 in Boden Clothes

Sadly, the trunk show division of Boden has been shut down, but I do have some good Boden news today. Angela Mushkin of New Canaan is organizing focus groups for Boden at her home and she's looking for participants. Boden pays either $150 in cash or $250 in boden credit for 1 1/2 hours of your time. She's looking for two types of participants - a "lapsed" Boden buyer and a "non-Boden" buyer. Below are the guidelines for participation in these groups. Please email Angela at tastefullyangela2002 AT yahoo.com if you fit the criteria and are interested or if you know someone who does.

LAPSED BUYERS Tues. Feb 2nd 10-11:30am

The group they are looking for must meet the following guidelines

1) Lapsed buyer (ideally of women's and children's lines) , having not bought from Boden over the last two seasons.

2) At least one child under the age of 9 in household for who you buy clothing.

3) 30-50 years old

4) Shops at 2 or more of the following retailers: J Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Nordstrom.

5) Have not stopped buying solely because of the recession.

Please let Angela know if you are interested and available to participate. You'll receive a call to confirm your participation.

The group will last 90 minutes and the compensation will be $150 cash or $250 in Boden credit.

"Non Boden" Buyers Tues. Feb 2nd from 12-1:30

Same criteria as above only they have NEVER BOUGHT FROM THE WOMEN'S LINE AT BODEN. You could have bought for the kids, but never for yourself or never bought ANYTHING from any of the lines Boden has!!!

Finally Get Organized With From This 2 That - I Did!

Since September I've moved to a new house, was laid up for a month of bedrest and then had a baby. Needless to say, things were a tad chaotic around here, and let me tell you -- it showed. I've never been known for my organizational skills in the home (ok I'm a slob!), but in recent months I took it to a whole new level.

I was desperate for help. Enter From This to That (“FT2T”) a professional organizing business supported by two busy moms. Dara Smith, one half of the team, came to my home and in just 5 hours, whipped me into shape. She cleaned out closets and re-organized shelves and cabinets based on my needs. Dara realized, after speaking with me for awhile and looking around, that I'm pretty good at getting rid of "stuff". Even though I'm not a hoarder, I run into trouble with compartmentalizing the stuff I do have. She taught me a bunch of secrets for keeping everything I need to access regularly (cleaning supplies, linens, toys, etc) neat, but accessible. Even my out-of- season clothes are neat and tidy for once. Weeks later, her organization “secrets” continue to help me keep our new house somewhat orderly. The newfound order gives me peace of mind --- and I can use it! Being cooped up all winter with a 3 year old and a newborn is enough to make me a little crazy.

I asked what differentiates FT2T from other professional organizers and I learned that it's FT2T’s total assessment of a client's personality and unique ability to transform it into system that suits the client’s needs, rather than taking a cookie cutter approach to a job. For example, I personally need to see all my stuff. Otherwise, I lose it. Whenever I put something "in a safe place", I can't find it later. Dara quickly understood that while I am not totally organized, I don't like clutter. So, she put things I use on a regular basis right in front of me, instead of tucking them neatly away. Dara also recommended that I use clear containers or receptacles so that everything would always be visible. Another great suggestion was to have attractive hooks and racks throughout the house to hang everything from hats to coats to jewelry.

When I was on bedrest and unable to use the stairs more than once a day, I got dressed and showered on the first floor of my home, and I continued to do so even after I was feeling better because it was more convenient when the kids are around. Recently though, I wanted the option to get dressed and showered upstairs. Dara understood this and made it possible for everything I needed to be neatly stored in both bathrooms - upstairs and downstairs - so that I'm not trucking all my products up and down the stairs. Another great idea - my linen closet is now multi-tasking – it holds linens and medicines. Dara organized things in a way that would work well in my everyday lifestyle. She made small changes that helped in a big way.

Visit www.fromthis2that.com or call Dara (203-545-4480) or Brenda (917-558-7043) for more information on how From This 2 That can help you get organized at home or work.

FREE November Events at Swaddle Toddle & Bump in Westport

Please pardon the cutting and pasting but check out these awesome events for moms and kids at Swaddle Toddle & Bump in November....Visit www.swaddletoddlebump.com for all the details.

The Golden Opportunity: Give a Little, Get a Little: For Breast Cancer -- FREE FOOD!

Monday, November 2, 10:30 AM- 1:00 PM

FREE SPEAKER -- Nutrtionist Alison Held -- 10:45 AM

Trade your gold for cash, benefit the Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation. If you have earrings, bracelets, pins, chains or other gold jewelry that you would like to convert to dollars, take advantage of a golden opportunity. Presented by Connections Public Relations and Speical Events and Melissa Diamond PR. Hosted by & Company, Fabulous Finds, Rockwell Art and Framing and Swaddle, Toddle & Bump. Food and drink provided by Blue Lemon, DaPietro's, Matsu Sushi and Do Brazil.

FREE KIDS YOGA CLASS AGES 5 - 8 (Moms/Dads/Family Welcome Too!)

Wednesday, November 4, 4-4:45 PM

Our neighbor, Arogya Holistic Healing Center is offering an amazing free yoga class in our stre. Never tried it? Yoga is a fun, creative and healthy activity for kids (and parents!). RSVP --203-557-0509

FREE FRIDAY SPEAKER SERIES -- THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT POST PARTUM DEPRESSION Sponsored by Savvy Mom on Call and MODMA

Baby blues can strike anyone, anytime. Theresa Twomey can help! Hear what she has to say. RSVP 557-0509

FREE KIDS YOGA CLASS AGES 5 - 8 (Moms/Dads/Family Welcome Too!)

Wednesday, November 11, 4-4:45 PM

Our neighbor, Arogya Holistic Healing Center is offering an amazing free yoga class in our stre. Never tried it? Yoga is a fun, creative and healthy activity for kids (and parents!). RSVP --203-557-0509

AtHome and Westport MAGAZINES PRESENT: Design District Westport.

Thursday, November 12th, 5-9 PM

Think things have been a little too quiet lately? Take back your downtown at this fun, hip and stylish Westport event. We're raffling off a $100 shopping spree and a Mommy Makeover Kit.Come for a nibble and night of free fun -- here and around town!

FREE PROTECT YOUR KIDS FINGERPRINTING/PHOTO EVENT sponsored by Judith Lamson-Rockwell from New York Life Insurance.

November 18, 10:30 - NOON

Thousands of children go missing each year. Do you have your child's fingerprints and a recent photo on-hand, just in case?Every child who attends will. All ages welcome. Just Show Up!