Momma Like: November 2009: Wrap it Up

An unusual place to look for wrapping, but don't judge a catalog by its cover.  Check out the latest Sundance with great wrapping options including baker's cord ($18 for st of three colors, 54 yards each) that can be paired with used grocery paper bags or recycled brown craft paper for a beautiful present that is eco-friendly and very affordable.  If you are feeling indulgent, pair the craft paper with the grosgrain ribbon ($28 for set of five, 10 yards each) for a preppier look!  While you are on Sundance, check out the wine "attire" (3 or more for $8 each), a cute way to dress up a hostess gift for your holiday parties.

Momma Like: November 2009: Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Want to have a fun craft for the kids on the morning of Thanksgiving to keep them sane as you cook?  Try these pear place cards on Martha Stewart - the goddess of the craft and the centerpiece... but add a twist - have your kids decorate the place card tags with glue and maize colored glitter after you write the names on!  Coming this week -   a simple thanksgiving menu.

Momma Like: Stocking Stuffers 2009

In our family, Christmas music could not be played until the day after Thanksgiving and my sister and I would rush downstairs that morning with almost as much anticipation as Christmas morning itself, to put on our first Mitch Miller or Perry Como record of the season. What was true of Christmas music, however; was not the case with shopping.  The deep and competitive world of who was going to pick out the best presents of the year started early and its something I think about in September.

Almost more important than the big gifts were the stocking stuffers... so until Christmas, I will be highlighting a few of my favorites in case you love them too!  First stop, Pottery Barn Kids which has a great collection of classic small toys under $10 - my favorites are the Pocket-Etch-A-Sketch and the set of Jacks.  If you are looking for something a bit more, I am contemplating the mini-walkie talkies - with one for my daughter and one in the stocking of her best neighborhood buddy for hours of bed-time chatter!
Feel free to use the comment section to  share your stocking stuffer ideas this season!

Momma Like: November 2009: Flight 001

Now boarding at  96 Greenwich Ave. in the Village, Flight 001... Destination - the stylish you before kids.  Now with stores in Brooklyn, San Francisco, LA, and Chicago, Flight 001, founded in 1998, was introduced to me years ago by a West Village anthropologist, photographer and all around renaissance globetrotter.  
She always had the perfect bag, travel alarm clock, wallet, luggage tag, passport carrier.... you get the idea.  If you are traveling for business, or with the kids over the holiday - you have to stock up here on luggage and the right travel games for your kids.  
Bananagrams is like scrabble without the board and the magnetic Backgammon is a family classic for car rides, trains and flights for years to come.  The Aviary cosmetic bags and Orla Kiely stem totes are my favorite picks for the stylish traveling diaper bag/ changing set.  With this much organization, you are bound to turn a crazy ride into an orderly landing. 


Use the "comments" below and let us know how you are coping with thanksgiving travel with kids and any great travel ideas for them!

Food November 2009: The Brunch Part 3: Fritatta

I don't believe in moral or culinary relativity.   The fritatta is better than the omelette.   In fact, it makes the omelette look dumb.  Really.  And yet the process, time alloted, ingredients used and effort are essentially equivalent - the difference is in the lightness, the air in the eggs, and again, the consistent cooking temperature of a convection oven.  Or, maybe anything food and italian is good - I'm not sure- just a thought.


As for our brunch, once your scones are hot out of the oven and guests have arrived and received a cup of coffee, turn to your fritatta.  Serves 6-8.


12 eggs
1/4 cup half and half or whole milk
2 pinches salt
pepper to taste
2 tablespoons canola oil
handful raw baby spinach, chopped roughly
2 diced shallot cloves or 1 small shallot
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
3 sprigs fresh oregano, chopped
2 heaping tablespoons gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 large ball fresh mozzarella, sliced thinly


Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Break eggs and beat with a standing or electric mixer, adding the half and half, salt and pepper.  Beat on high for five minutes or slightly more until the eggs have beat up in a pile and are light and airy (but not stiff).  This is key.  If you have a standing mixer and can walk away, start your 10-12 inch skillet on med-high now.  Add the oil and when it starts to get translucent, add the diced shallots, stirring quickly for two minutes.  Then add chopped spinach and stir for roughly one minute.  Add well beaten eggs to the pan and reduce heat to medium.  While the bottom is setting (2-3 minutes), add the parm, shredded mozz and gorgonzola.  Just before taking it off and putting it in the oven, place the paper thin slices of fresh mozz on top of fritatta, and place in the oven.  Cook for roughly 7 minutes or until it is puffed up and lightly browned (see photo above).   Make sure all your guests ooh and ahh over it before it sinks and you serve it.... and if they don't ohh and ahh, they get nothing.  


Variations: goat cheese in place of gorgonzola, chopped zucchini or broccoli, thyme for oregano....  


Last but not least, I serve plain or vanilla yogurt with fresh raspberries and "fairy dust," which is merely raw almonds put through the food processor.   GOOD LUCK!

Design: November 2009

You may have already been to their store online or in person, but Sweet William who always thought outside the box, is now out of the box and covered in "T" Magazine in the Sunday Times by Susanna Howe and Sandra Ballentine.  A hip mom, Bronagh Staley opened the store in Brooklyn's hipster hood Williamsburg.   The store was designed by her husband Peter, a children's author and artist.  In addition to large fine art quality stuffed animals and great wooden toy sets, Staley carries some truly unique and adorable kids fashions; inclduing figs and cupcakes favorite, Bambeeno, Ada Ada, Angela Devine and Dagmar Daley.  Happy Shopping at Sweet William.

Momma Like: November 2009: Fashion in the $50's for Minis

Headed South for the holidays?  If so, first let me say how much I dislike you unless you have room for me in your bag.  Second, check out the cute tunic dresses now on sale at Craftsbury Kids from designer Inshi Khanna's line called - you know it - Cupcakes and Pastries.  Her things are not only beautiful - they are made by a mom who gets that kids don't have to wear puppy dog T-shirts to be cute.  Rock it pool side for $51.  

Stuck in the cold north instead?  Try this adorably preppy barn coat for your little guy from Ralph Lauren in navy; or if your boy is more of a punk than a prep, try the dark olive coat with a Clockwork Orange T-shirt underneath - either way, the look is munchy.  The best part?  Ralph Lauren is having a "private" fall sale an additional 15% off already reduced prices for a total of almost 40% off many items, with this coat already reduced from $80 to $59.99.  Use the code NOV0509 at checkout... but you didn't hear it from me.