3.26.2013

favorite thing of the week: VESTS!

This is a GREAT time of year to put your vest into action! When you, or your kids, have a VEST on your body will stay warm while you can get your extremities used to the outdoors. Slowly but surely you will get yourself out there... as the warmer weather is arriving.

So if you don't have a vest already NOW is the time to get yourself one in our first VEST EVENT and also our FAVORITE THING OF THE WEEK!

vest are on SALE and at the perfect time.. now get going!
 
Prices are as marked the VEST EVENT is for ONE WEEK ONLY!

makie kATTY vest! - click here
ESP no1 soft quilted vests - click here
IOU project madras vests for women - each one is ONE OF A KIND!

erica tanov for women - click here

and last but never LEAST the wovenplay deerskin vest for kids... I love this piece and your kids will fill with fantasy play...
wovenplay deerskin vest was $176 / now $86
VESTS galore... what's NEXT!?

www.nonchalantmom.com

Happy Spring & FREE SHIPPING...!!


SPRING IS HERE! and along with that comes FREE SHIPPING!
remember use code: 'springship' for free shipping on ALL ORDERS for a limited time!!
(sorry, UPS/USA ground orders only)

www.nonchalantmom.com

3.21.2013

jumping rope


I think this is already a craze and I'm just hearing about it... but it just seems so obvious, after I read this article on Well + Good: How to Master the Jump Rope and Why You Really Should I felt like it was a great challenge for me to start. So far it's been great, I can't do much but working my way up slowly to a nice big jump rope session for myself (well at least 3 minutes). At Aeropsace in NYC, Michael Olajide, Jr., uses the jump rope to whip his clients into ridiculous shape—most famously Victoria Secret models, that's enough evidence for me.

Why should we learn to jump rope? It’s a cardio and endurance-building workout like none other, swears Olajide, in part because it takes you out of your comfort zone.
“It requires full-body movement and coordination—versus a spin bike, say, which only targets your lower body. And it engages your reactionary reflexes. Your muscles must respond to quick and slow movement. That’s what’s still missing from a lot of cardio, and why jumping rope really keeps your head in the game,” Olajide says.

I felt it was a little of that whole thing in which you wake up certain reflexes in your body and your brain that you don't normally use, it's supposed to be good to fight against Alzheimer's. I like when my exercise is not only good for my body but my brain too.

How to get through the first minute? Olajide gave these simple tips for how to minimize frustration, so soon you’ll be skipping rope in your sleep. Or anywhere you and your new fitness BFF, the jump rope, want to go.

1. Get the right rope
Olajade’s students use the Aerospace Rainmaker, so named for the sweat the rope will pull out of you. It has a fast ball-bearing handle with light-weight poly-nylon cord. “It’s very responsive, and doesn’t lose its arc,” he explains. Your rope should hit the ground right in front of you. If it’s too long, tie a knot in the rope up by the handle.
2. Turn the rope from your wrists
“Unlike when you’re running stairs or spinning, your wrists generate the movement. They’re also your accelerator. The faster your wrist turns, the more torque,” he says. Keep your wrists close to your hips and your arms fairly still.
3. Stay on your balls of your feet.
Your heels don’t make contact. And a small bend in the knee is fine. But the less bend in the knee you have, the faster you can go.
4. When you see the rope, jump the rope.
This is key to coordination. “Your hands are a lot faster and smarter than your legs, which have to work to keep up. It’s a dexterity thing that takes practice."

get the full story by clicking through to Well + Good
and click here to get a starter 3-minute workout to help you get going!

3.08.2013

egg decorating!


We are crazy for hard boiled eggs, so what goes better with that than some DECORATION. Each year we look forward to this delightful holiday so that we can stuff ourselves with all sorts of hard boiled egg treats; egg salad sandwiches (see recipe here), deviled eggs and just plain hard boiled eggs for breakfast but NOW they are COLORS! so festive!

uumm... all you need is some creativity and a SHARPIE apparently!

We don't often go out of the box and color them but I found these wonderful ideas online. Then my wonderful friends at Eco-Kids created this all natural egg coloring kit and I was so very PLEASED! The one thing I hate about those little tablets is the obvious dyes... yuk! Now you can color them beautifully with colors derived from purple sweet potato, annatto seed and red cabbage! The kit comes with a color card for mixing the colors to create what you need.

click here to buy Eco-Kids Egg Coloring Kit

the Eco-Kids kit comes with egg holder and ALL instructions you will need to make beautiful naturally colored eggs!
 One of my FAVORITE and easiest ideas was this tattoo idea... notice how delicately the eggs are dyed... essential to the final cute look of these eggs!

tattoo eggs!

I LOVE this idea that I found on Pinterest (if you are not already following me... you should do SO I am SO much fun on Pinterest!)

Have FUN!!

New York... again..?!

the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg

This time it's a visit to NYC for the kids shows: Playtime and ENK Childrens Club this weekend. This is a tricky time, because my husband has his Art shows going on in the city at the same time, which makes this a bit of a family trip, but also work. We are looking for the best things to do so I went to one of my favorite people Florence Rolando and her website Pirouette. She is traveling in from Europe so she has done a bit of research with our friends; Emily of Lucky Wang, Bronagh of Sweet William and a few others - click through to her website for all their good ideas for FUN in NYC with your kids! Here are some of our favorites... and then some things we really want to check out.

Lego Store at Rockefeller Center - my son is crazy for lego so we are excited to see this store that I have heard is terrific! I am hoping to find a few things beyond the normal... we will keep you updated!

the skateboard park at chelsea piers
nearby is this lovely merry go round! for smaller kids

Skateboard park at Chelsea Piers - we always end up spending some time here but it really depends on the weather.. hope for sunshine I always say! If so this fun park is a great hang out for kids, fun to watch and my son also skateboards, I think it's inspiring for him to see the crazy moves here. There is also a great snack truck outside... organic hot dogs anyone!? and there is a nearby merry-go-round for younger kids.

The Standard for ice skating - there are always a few hours of time that can be passed with ice skating here... good times had by all! (I like it just as much as the KIDS)

Childrens Film Festival - On the suggestion of Emily/Lucky Wang we will certainly hit a few films - click here for film schedule - encouraging innovation in childrens films. And just in case we have less than perfect weather.


Brooklyn Bowl - This party-time bowling is in Williamsburg... it is one of the most rockin' fun bowling you will find! and if you are not into bowling you can dance the day or night away right next to the bowling lanes on a giant dance floor. And what's good for parents... right next door is the new Wythe hotel - so you can jump right across the street and be all chic and stuff...

my two big bowlers!

So there you go.. this is our itinerary.. plus some more fun... it's always nice to find some new things going on in NYC!

Have a GREAT trip!





3.06.2013

Travel :: CALIFORNIA

only 5 rooms at the Mojave Sands in Joshua Tree
reflecting pool

This is the time of year that I am always DYING to take a California trip... I am usually pretty good at finding an excuse, um... I need to go to SF to meet some bloggers... um... I need to go to LA for one of Gurmukh's workshops... um... this list goes on a little bit like this... I try to find a blend of personal/work excuses. It's BEST if you can get a friend to go along with you! (pick someone who will do just about anything, because 'anything goes' in LA!).

inside room at Mojave Sands

inside another room

ourside room! (even better)

On my next visit (I am planning but have NO idea when I will be able to GO really) I want to visit this place; the Mojave Sands in Joshua Tree. It looks like the perfect place to really relax and do just about NOTHING! Although I feel like if I went there... I may never leave... coupled with taking a look-see around Joshua Tree, and my perfect vacation is complete.

Watch out... next time I write about this place I will be staying here!

Mojave Sands website


RAchel Craven


This came to my attention because one of my close friends is named Rachel Craven! How crazy is THAT! Although she is multi talented and gorgeous (she is also one of my models!) she is not THIS talented Rachel Craven, but we both got a kick out of seeing this... and I just HAD to share it with you! Can you imagine your SPRING table decorated with these delicious runners, tablecloths and napkins (well just noticed the BED throw as well!)

rachel craven table napkins and tablecloth
rachel craven table

rachel craven table



Visit... ENJOY... SHOP!!

Rachel Craven
rachel craven tablecloth