Pilates in the Park

There is nothing sweeter than being able to contribute to a good cause and in the process tax-deduct your workout class! Here’s your chance! Renaissance Pilates is sponsoring Pilates in the Park for the benefit of Cystic Fibrosis on Saturday April 25th at 10am at Pier A in Hoboken. To attend the outdoor pilates mat class, bring a suggested donation for the CF Great Strides Walk and rsvp to Danielle @ Renaissance Pilates.

Keep Your Kids Busy For Less: Pretend it’s Summer and Hit the Tub

If your kids are longing for summer fun, why not grab some of the summer items- the pails, shovels, and goggles and have a swim party in your tub? Since you haven’t used these items in months, they will seem like new toys to the kids.  For those of you who have kids who hate taking a bath, you might be surprised to find that you won’t be able to get them out of the tub.

IT’S OFFICIAL- WE’VE MOVED THIS SITE

Thank you so much for helping us get our feet wet with this site.  We are now bigger and better and can be found at our permanent new home at:

www.hobokenmetromom.com

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions and your support.  We hope that you will follow us over to our new home.

Kiddy Kalendar – Weekend of 4/4-4/5

There is so much going on this weekend! Here are our top picks for the weekend….

SATURDAY APRIL 4

On Saturday the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is having two Easter Egg Workshops, one at 10am and one at 1pm. The workshops are two hours long and you must bring two hard boiled eggs per child. Call (212) 932-7347 for more information.

The Central Park Easter Egg Hunt takes place at 11am at the Big Hill at 106th Street. The event is free and there will be easter eggs, free snacks, and of course the Easter Bunny.

Puppetworks is putting on a performance of Sleeping Beauty in Brooklyn. Performances are at 12:30 and 2pm and are just $7 per child and $8 per adult.

The Rubin Museum has their Family Workshop today at 2pm. Today’s theme is “Lotus” and includes stories and crafts. $10 per child.

SUNDAY APRIL 5

Kids can take an Irish Dance lesson and put on a Riverdance type performance afterwards! At 12noon at the Bowery Poetry Club. $10 per child.

Hot Peas n’ Butter will be performing at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at 2pm. Tickets are just $6 per person.

Real Mom Review: Watchung Stables

Watchung stables in Mountainside houses over 50 horses and offers nearly everything horse related: boarding, lessons, boy scout/girl scout programs, trail rides, summer camp, and horse shows. Most lessons are recommended for ages 9 and up, but there are a number of options for younger kids. There are winter clinics on horse grooming for kids under 9. In April, June, September and October there are also “Just the Two of Us” programs where kids under 9 and their parents can be introduced to horses and how to properly mount a horse and safety around horses. The stables also offers hour long tours (also appropriate for preschoolers) for groups of 10-15 people. Or just go and rent a lead-line horse and let the kids take a ride! This is also an outstanding venue for a birthday party.

Bang for your Buck: Thumbs up. Horse lovers can admire the horses for free! Winter clinics are $10. The Just the Two of Us programs are $26 per family (one child and one adult). Hour long group tours are $40. Line-lead horses are $17-$19 for 30 minutes. For more information download their program here
Best transit route: about 30 minutes from Hoboken by car
Stroller friendly: no
Rainy day recommended: no
Potty situation: on location
Snack friendly: Yes, you can snack outside the stables
Hyper-child friendly: yes
Child-friendly staff: yes
Estimate of time killed: 1 to 1.5 hours
Nap factor: good

Real Mom Review – The Museum of Arts and Design

The Museum of Arts and Design just opened up last year at its new location at Columbus Circle. The museum exhibits craft and design related artwork. We took the kids (ages 3 to 5) to see the Second Lives exhibit which featured artwork made from everyday objects (plastic spoon sculptures, a chair made out of shoes, sculptures made with puzzle pieces) and they really related to the work. On the 6th floor they also have an Open Studio where you can see artists at work and if you are lucky you may even be able to contribute to the artwork. As for workshops, the museum offers Studio Sundays every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. The hands-on crafty workshop is just $10 per person and is recommended for kids 6 and up. Reservations are not required, but space is limited. Call 212-299-7720 for more information.

Bang for your Buck: Medium. Adult admission is $15 and kids under 12 are free. Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm are pay as you wish. Studio Sundays are $10 per person. Note that the museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Best transit route: 126 bus to Port Authority and then the A or C train to Columbus Circle OR Path to 34th street and then the B or D train to Columbus Circle.
Stroller friendly: If you take the Path route in, not too bad with the only stairs at Columbus Circle
Rainy day recommended: thumbs up
Potty situation: They are located on the 6th floor. The shiny retro hand dryers were one of the kids’ favorite parts of the museum.
Snack friendly: No, but Whole Foods is just across the street and they have a sit down snack area and plenty of snacks for sale.
Hyper-child friendly: no! and touching the everyday objects is so very tempting!
Child-friendly staff: yes
Estimate of time killed: 45 minutes
Nap factor: low

Date Night on a Budget – Discount Theater Tickets and Parking

Thanks to Broadway Bob who generously provided the following insider info on how to get reduced tickets to shows (and parking!) in NYC, you no longer have an excuse NOT to go out for a date night.

One of the best places to get discount theater and Broadway show tickets is at the TKTS booth. TKTS booths are located in Times Square, South Street Seaport, and Downtown Brooklyn and allow you to get up to 50% off same day Broadway and off-Broadway tickets. For the busy mom with two impatient kids who simply cannot schlep them into the city just to stand in line for tickets (and then have the energy to come back in again in the evening for date night) Broadway Bob suggests just logging onto Broadway Box and getting up to 50% off Broadway and off-Broadway tickets, all from the convenience of your home. Got your tickets in hand? The deals do not end here! Take advantage of discount parking in the city. You can get a Theater Parking Coupon here and pay just $10 for up to 10 hours of parking, just by presenting the coupon and the discounted theater tickets you just scored. Thank you Broadway Bob!

Don’t forget, if you want to take the kids to a show, find more tips on discount tickets here and here.

Kiddy Kalendar Update

Mark you calendars for this upcoming Friday! Hopes (Abbott Program) is hosting a puppet show performed by the famous Mister Kipley at 5:30pm at the Rue site at 301 Garden Street in Hoboken. Tickets are $5 per child. Pizza and drinks are an extra $2 per child and $3 per adult. Come on out for a great night!

Why Not Consider. . . Wednesday: Makeup Edition

Before I had children, one guilty pleasure in my life was going to Bloomingdales, Bendels, or some other shopping mecca and investing in expensive makeup and skin care products.  I would often work long hours, and was just too exhausted to try on clothing or shoes.  However, I found I could get that same shopping rush I would get buying a new outfit if I bought cosmetics- and I would be in and out of the store in no time.

After I had my first child, I found it even harder to resist the siren call of buying something new that promised to make me look great.  For those of you who have seen the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, just substitute that green scarf for the bottle of La Mer moisturizing cream ($230 for a 2oz bottle).

So- I feel like the topic of cosmetics is something that I can address with some authority.  Indeed, my relationship with expensive makeup goes back to high school.  Could it have something to do with genetics?  Perhaps.  Let’s just say that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

However, just like the protagonist in Confessions of a Shopaholic learned that she didn’t need expensive clothing to make her happy, I too have learned that I can find happiness without the Chanel eyeshadow that comes in that pretty little black box with the double C’s on it.

Here are my suggestions for products you can buy at any drug store that and that I now use myself. Having the extra money in your pocketbook to spend on things like- ohh I don’t know- a college education for your child- might just make you feel even more beautiful.

Moisturizer, Cleanser and Sunscreen:
I went to a dermatologist and was told that in order to keep my skin looking young, I should always use sunscreen. So, my first suggestion for skin care is a broad spectrum sunscreen. The dermatologist did not recommend a particular sunscreen. I tried a few types and found I liked Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 70 with Helioplex broad spectrum UVA-UVB. I bought Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45 Advanced Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB while we were on vacation (I couldn’t find the one for face only) and used it successfully on my face. Neutrogena hasn’t irritated my skin or caused me to have any breakouts so I will continue to use it.

The dermatologist I went to did recommend the CeraVe line of cleansers and moisturizers for my sensitive skin. CeraVe is designed to seriously hydrate your skin- not to give you a face lift in a bottle, so, if this is what you are looking for, CeraVe may not be the right product for you.  However, I love the CeraVe line and if, like me, you have delicate or sensitive skin, you may like it too. (All CeraVe items will be on sale at CVS from April 5-11th for $10.99.) I like the cleanser as it doesn’t strip my skin and leave it feeling dry and tight, but it does remove my makeup. I generally use the moisturizing lotion as it is not as thick as the cream, however, I do have the cream and use it sporadically in the winter or at night- when I need a little extra hydration. Note- I have only been able to find this product in CVS.

Foundation and Concealer:
Over the past month I have tried many different types of foundation. However, two types of foundation have stood out for me above the rest: 1) CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers with Acquacurrent science and 2) L’Oreal true match. I liked the feeling of the CoverGirl product but liked how easy it was for me to find my perfect match in the store with the L’Oreal product- I put my wrist under a piece of plastic with colors and actually got the right shade for my complexion as they said I would. I’m still not sure which is my favorite brand- I like them both.

With both the L’Oreal and CoverGirl products, I liked both the liquid foundation and the cream compact makeup- although I did not use the cream compact all over my face. I found that I had very good results achieving a natural look when I used the liquid all over my face and then used the compact makeup sparingly only on my cheek bones where I wanted a little extra coverage for my freckles. (Note that if you spend $20 on any CoverGirl Cosmetics at CVS from April 5-11th you get $10 Extra Bucks (Limit 1)).

I also tried and liked the L’Oreal True Match super-blendable Concealer (it comes with a brush) and the CoverGirl Smoothers Concealer (in a stick).

Mascara:
I have had problems with clumpy mascara in the past. I decided to try the L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral-Enriched Mascara in Black Brown because it was L’Oreal and I was having good luck with their foundation. I like a natural look and like this mascara which is fiber free and clump free.

Eye Shadow:
I tried L’Oreal wear infinite eyes hadow for hazel eyes and liked it. There is a 1,2,3,4 stamped into each of the 4 shadows in the container and they tell you where on your eye to put each number. How easy is that? The colors seem to work well with my eyes- and, as I recall, they have other options for those with brown or blue eyes.

Bronzer:
Instead of blush, I like to use a little Bronzer. I have tried Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer and I think it is a solid bronzer. It looks natural on my skin so I like it.

Lipstick/Gloss:
So far, I have liked L’OrealColor Juice in Raspberry Smash. It feels like clear gloss with a hint of sheer red.

Despite the fact that I tend to go for natural looking makeup, and a gloss on my lip during the day, I tend to favor a red lip when I go out with my husband. I have been having a very hard time finding a lipstick I like as much as Yves Saint Laurent- which is my go to lipstick. I’ll keep looking.

I am also on the lookout for a nice skin treatment. Right now I still have a supply of Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask and Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads (recommended one year by Allure a few years back), so, I don’t have need to buy anything new. In the name of being a Recessionista, I will continue to look for suitable substitutes- despite the fact that there is a Bliss in the W Hotel that just opened in Hoboken.

Disclaimer: Please note that I have not been asked to write this article by anyone or received any compensation for making the above recommendations. These are just one real mom’s suggestions. If you keep your receipt and keep the packaging your makeup comes in, you can return your makeup for a refund at CVS in the eventuality that you try it and do not like it. I personally had to do this a few times before I found what I was looking for.  Rite Aid has a “Don’t Pay for Your Mistakes” Beauty Money Back Guarantee which allows you to return any opened/used beauty product for a full refund when accompanied by a register receipt. The Rite Aid guarantee covers not only makeup, but also the following: skin care/depilatories, sun care, bath/soap, hair care (shampoo, conditioner, styling and professional), hair color, cosmetics, ethnic beauty aids, fragrances, cosmetic organizers and personal care appliances.  Isn’t it nice to be able to try something knowing you can take it back if you don’t like it?

LaMer and Chanel- I may miss you every now and again, but my wallet won’t miss you. Thanks for the memories!

April Fool’s Day

Don’t forget, today is April Fool’s Day. Hope you have a fun day! We enjoyed reading about some of these pranks listed on FamilyFun.com, especially the bedtime switcheroo prank, which at least one of us will be trying.

One mom waited until all her children were sound asleep and carried them into their siblings rooms.  When they woke up in the morning, she enjoyed seeing their confusion.  Click here to read the full story about this bedtime switcheroo.

Another mom told her children that the principal had called from school to inform her of some rude behavior and enjoyed watching her children’s insist that they hadn’t behaved badly before she said April Fools.

Don’t forget your spouse or co-worker.  A cute prank is to leave a message that Mr. Lyon called and would like a return call by the end of the day.  Put down the number for your local zoo as the return number and see what happens.  You might be as lucky as prankster whose victim was told “I’m sorry, Mr. Lyon is busy at the moment. Mr. Elephant can talk, though!” 

We leave you with this food for thought which was chronicled on the museumofhoaxes.com.  “In 1998: Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a “Left-Handed Whopper” specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, “many others requested their own ‘right handed’ version.””