con Leche

Our baby boy was born on Christmas Eve morning. I hadn’t packed my hospital bag ahead of time so I wasn’t feeling quite as prepared as I had hoped when I went into labor.  Luckily, I had made a quick trip to Babies R Us earlier in the week so we did have everything we needed, or so I thought.

The morning after our baby was born, my husband went home to shower and to grab a quick bite to eat (the cafeteria food wasn’t cutting it for him). He showed up a few hours later with a small gift in hand. Even though it was Christmas Day, it still brought me to tears. This is certainly one Christmas I will never forget.

Inside the box was a watch, one that was on my wish list but that still came as a surprise. I haven’t worn a watch in years and even though I recall saying a few years back that the wrist watch would soon be obsolete (what with everyone carrying a phone which tells the correct time), I fell in love with the watches from con Leche that I had discovered during my pregnancy.

con Leche (Spanish for “with milk” or “milky”), makes stylish watches for breastfeeding moms. Underneath the standard dial that tells the current time is a second dial which shows the time of baby’s last feeding and is manually reset each time your breastfeed. You can also record which side baby nursed on at each feeding by manually setting “L” (left), or “R” (right). Ingenious.

When my first son was born and breastfeeding was new to both of us, I kept track of each feeding on a piece of paper but soon discovered that having that paper handy at each feeding was the most challenging part of the process.

Breastfeeding can be a struggle during the first few weeks but it does get easier. My new watch is a lifesaver and makes feeding the baby much less stressful since I simply glance down at my wrist to determine when, approximately, his next feeding will be.

I highly recommend adding a con Leche watch – with three unique designs – to your baby registry or for dads to purchase as a push present for their partner. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift (besides our Christmas Eve baby).

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Diamonds are a Mom’s Best Friends

So, this is the post where I admit that I have never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring Audrey Hepburn. Of course, I am a lover of diamonds (what girl isn’t?) and all things food related, so, naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to have a real Breakfast at Tiffany’s experience of my own when I was invited to the Tiffany & Co. store here in San Diego to preview their latest line of handbags and designer jewelry last week.

There were several San Diego Bloggers present, which was another reason why I was excited to visit Fashion Valley Mall in the wee hours of the morning. It wasn’t that early, but getting there before any of the stores open is something I normally don’t do, not even during the holiday season.

After greeting some friends and grabbing a mimosa by mistake (quickly replaced by a “real” orange juice), I browsed the jewelry counters to drool over the finest pieces designed by Paloma Picasso and Tiffany & Co.’s new Leather Goods collection designed by Richard Lambertson and John Truex. They also revealed their new collection of Yellow Diamonds, featuring rare diamonds mined in Western Australia and exclusively found at Tiffany & Co.

As much as I love looking at jewelry, and trying pieces on, I felt a little uneasy touching some of the items that were worth more than everything else I own (all together). I did, however, try on a bracelet that was $49,000 and a few other pieces that made me feel like a princess, at least for the few minutes I was allowed to wear them.

The entire staff treated us like queens while we were there, encouraging us to try on everything and get our hands on the items that were a little beyond our reach (literally and figuratively). Some bloggers left the store that morning with a blue bag of their own, but all of us left with a little sparkle in our eye and much excitement for the coming holiday season.

Thanks to my friends and the highly knowledgeable staff members at Tiffany & Co.,  I learned about Push Presents and made sure to share this idea with my husband later that same day.

I haven’t bookmarked all of the pages in the Tiffany & Co. catalogs, but I have certainly spent quite a bit of time looking through them (while sipping coffee from this beautiful mug). I especially enjoy purusing the catalog featuring their new Leather Goods line which include beautiful clutches, totes, handbags, wallets, gloves and briefcases both for professionals and those looking for a glamorous accessory for a night on the town.

If you haven’t taken a look at the Tiffany collections lately,  or at all, I highly encourage you to visit their website and discover all the beautiful items they offer, including their stemware, baby gifts, and items that fit within most gift-giving budgets.

Don’t miss our tribute to the fine folks at Tiffany & Co. as we sing about the little blue box we’d all love under our tree this year (or any year).

Happy Shopping!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Charm Story

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I’m so excited to have discovered the Charm Story line of personalized charms from Things Remembered since it makes for a beautiful, thoughtful and personal gift which all mothers and grandmothers will appreciate.

First, select the starter bracelet or the starter necklace (for just $20) and then add charms from the long list of themes, shapes and designs available. Select from the dog tag, star, heart, flower, butterfly, sea shell, or birthstone charms. They can each be personalized and some even have slots for photos.

Things Remembered has several keepsake items that can be personalized for special occasions and for those special people in your life. Mother’s Day is May 10th. Be sure to honor your favorite Mom this year with a keepsake she’ll never forget – and will can’t wait to show off!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Uncommon Goodies

I have always loved the unique and stylish gift ideas inside the Common Goods catalog so I’m especially pleased to share these great gifts:

My Beating Heart Pillow


Fruit and Vegetable Parchment Cuff

Elephant Poo Paper Note Box

Newspaper Market Bag


Organic Cotton Teether Veggies


Element Touch Lamp

Magwear Magnetic Wristband

Organic Cotton Remote Pillow Pocket


Artist Series Tampon Cases

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

For Moms Who Get Around

FLIGHT 001 has some great gift ideas for Mother’s Day. They specialize in products to help make traveling easier. Their fun designs and affordable items make this a great website to visit for anyone who travels, whether for business or pleasure.

HANDMADE SILK JEWELRY ROLL – Features 3 zip pockets for necklaces, bracelets and long earrings, one spacious slip pocket for larger pieces, a snap-down ring roll, and 4 loops for small earrings. Exterior features a silk embroidered flower motif with silk tie closure. 8.5in X 14.75in

ZEBRA TRAVEL CLOCK – Features an alarm and fold-in protective and portable design. 3.5in x 3.5in x 1.25in.

TRANSPORT WEEKENDER – Features a large interior packing compartment with zip closure. Exterior features a zip pocket, double handles, and an adjustable/removable
messenger strap.

MOBILE PHONE HOLDER – Hangs between your phone’s plugged-in battery charger and the wall socket. The instant little shelf provides a support for your phone and cord while keeping them neat and safe.

MIMOBOT USB FLASHDRIVE – USB storage device in Domo-kun design. Features 1 GB of memory, and comes already preloaded with bonus digital content, ranging from icons and screen savers to rich media. Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Windows Vista’s ReadyBoost technology.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Gifts for the Moms in Your Life

With less than one week to go, here are some last minute gift ideas for the Mom in your life. It’s not too late to have something shipped in time!

Short & Sweet Hearts

Bvlgari for Women

Romance for Women

Lucky #6 for Women

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

San Diego Women’s Networking Event

I attended a networking event over the weekend, where I met many wonderful business owners from the area.

Julie’s Party People

Zi Design

Interestingly enough, many of these companies were those I’d have recommended to others, had I discovered them on my own.

Busy Nest Cards

The Closet Party

Having met so many successful business-owners at this event, I’m even more inspired now to share my services through Happy Healthy Hip Parenting.

I was thrilled to be talking to others about my company and to discuss the importance of family with parents like myself and to encourage them to see the value of investing in the most rewarding relationships they will ever have – the relationship between parent and child as well as the relationship between co-parents.

Discovery Toys

Already, after marketing and advertising for only six months I have received a number of inquires, enrolled several people in the parenting workshops scheduled at Java Mama in La Mesa, and have witnessed amazing moms and dads with unique family dynamics learn to work together and welcome into their lives a new way of communicating and growing as a family.

San Diego Bargain Mama

Pigtails & Crewcuts

There are many unique and wonderful family-owned businesses in the San Diego area. I encourage you to check out the companies listed here and include any comments you may have about these, or other locally-owned businesses that you support.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Copacetique

I just love that word (copacetic). I hardly ever use it, but when I came across the site that carries the name (sort of), I just had to say it out loud to myself (several times).

There are more and more sites that I find every day which carry fun, unique, and bold designs and products.

Jessica Kagan Cushman

I’ve mentioned Giggle before, but it’s a great site and one I rediscovered recently.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home