Madame Alexander is Today's - Special Invitation to Totsy Exclusive Access To Private Sales for Kids

Joining Totsy, means you will have access to the best designer and luxury items for moms and their kids, ages 0-7. As a member of Totsy, you will be offered exclusive access to private sales, up to 70% off retail.

Membership is Free and for every purchase, one tree is planted.

Sign Up Now and get access to the coolest products up to 70% off retail.

http://totsy.com/join/newyorkcitysinglemom

Check it out today, Madame Alexander Dolls are on sale 

Getting to Know So In Style™ (S.I.S ™) - A New Line of African American dolls

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This week, we were invited to meet Barbie Designer Stacey McBride-Irby and view the new line of African-American line of dolls, So In Style™ (S.I.S™) by Mattel.

The line was created to serve as role models for girls in the African-American community by fellow mom, Stacey McBride-Irby. I loved hearing Stacey's story about playing with Barbies as a girl, dreaming of being a designer and realizing that dream culminating in the launch of the So In Style™ line. The dolls were designed with more authentic-looking African-American facial features than just the repainting of Barbie.

There are six dolls in the line: Grace and her sister Courtney, Trishelle and her sister Janessa and Kara and her sister Kianna all with varying interests ranging from science to art.

Barbie So In Style Grace & Courtney Dolls




Barbie So In Style Kendal & Kara Dolls




My daughter had a wonderful time playing with dolls while enjoying tea at Alice's Tea Cup. While I am thrilled that Mattel is introducing the new line that is more in line with all the hues of the community and includes the doll's varying interests that makes them more of a role model, as a parent and a mother, I was somewhat struck by the attire of the dolls. They were a tad too dressed up with bling in my opinion. Frankly, I don't think my daughter was interested that "Grace" was interested in science negating the designer's intention. All she wanted to do was play with the dolls.

I think we as mothers are always looking for toys especially dolls that will empower our children, serve as teaching tools that tells them they can do and accomplish anything, especially girls. But it's hard to fight a girl's natural inclination to just make up their own stories based on their real life experiences and just play.

Check out Isaac Mizrahi and Liz Claiborne For the Fall

Did you know that Isaac Mizrahi is the Creative Director of Liz Claiborne? He is one of my favorite designers and I think he has really injected the brand with a new life, refreshing, fun, cute and really wearable items.


Get $20 off $100, $50 off $150 + Free Shipping at lizclaiborne.com on all new fall fashions. Valid 09-14-09 to 09-20-09. No promo code needed.

The SOC Exchange - An Alternative to Ebay and Etsy

Recently I attended a meeting with the founder of the SOC Exchange, Franco Lagudi.

What is the SOC Exchange you ask? It's an online community that gives sellers their own website with a unique URL. At the SOC Exchange you can sell anything you want*, as much as you want, for as long as you want for just $1 per Month, or $10 per year, FLAT RATE.

In addition, to providing you with a unique URL, there are 150 plus webpage designs to choose from, RSS feeds to your webpage, your own blog, free advertising opportunities and a customer tracking

system so you can get reporting on how many people are visiting your store.

In an effort to declutter my life as well as make a little extra cash, this provides the perfect opportunity to do both at a minimal cost. For those of you who are working to grow your business, the SOC Exchange provides you with a low cost alternative to using Ebay and Etsy which charges higher fees.

I just put some items up for sale, so I would love feedback on your experience that can be passed on to the SOC Exchange directly.

Competitor to ZipCar - Mint Cars-On-Demand

As I was out walking today, I was handed information for Mint - Cars-on-Demand which (I think) is a new competitor to zipcar.

They are currently running a promotion to receive first year membership FREE and $25 in driving credit.

Use promo code "STREET".

Mint Locations are throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Do you remember 1969? I sort of do and so does the Gap

Here a 10 Key Events of 1969:

1. January 12 - The New York Jets win Super Bowl III defeating the Baltimore Colts.
2. June 28 - The Stonewall Riots in New York City mark the start of the modern gay rights movement in the U.S.
3. July 16 - Apollo 11 (Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins) lifts off toward the first landing on the Moon.
4. August 15-18 - The Woodstock Festival is held in upstate New York.
5. September 2 - The first automatic teller maching in the United States is installed in Rockville Centre, New York.
6. September 26 - The Brady Bunch premieres on ABC.
7. October 29 - The first message is sent over ARPANET, the forerunner of the internet.
8. October 31 - Wal-Mart incorporates as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
9. November 10 - Sesame Street premieres on the National Education Television (NET) network.
10. December 2 - The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes it debut traveling from Seattle, Washington to New York City. It carries 191 people, most of them reporters and photographers.

source: Wikipedia

So what was the purpose of the providing you with fun facts from 1969 - to celebrate the introduction of the Gap's new line of 1969 Premium Jeans. The 1969 Premium Jeans is aptly named in honor of the debut of the Gap. The new collection has been redesigned focusing on fit, premium washes and styles all to accomodate different body types by one of my favorite designers, Patrick Robinson

As part of the celebration, the Gap has been sponsoring Gap Born to Fit Parties all through out the country.

Recently, I was one of the lucky few to be invited to a Gap Born to Fit Party, a party hosted by my friend and fellow blogger Kim (mominthecity). The party introduced us to the new line of 1969 Premium Jeans and gave us an opportunity to try on all different style which included Sexy Fit, Real Straight and Always Skinny.

I have to say, that it was a not only a pleasure to see all those cool jeans in the comfort of Kim's home but was excited to run into familiar faces like Onica (blasionbaby) and meet new mom bloggers, Niri (mommyniri), Victoria (veepveep), Melissa (sheknows), Susanna (Green Baby) and a bevy of non- bloggers. That's right, not every one I meet these days is a blogger.

Every one at the party walked away with a FREE pair of 1969 Premium Jeans.

But the best part of the event is that Kim (Mom in the City ) and the GAP are giving away to one lucky New York City Single Mom.com reader a free pair of 1969 Premium Jeans (valued up to $70.) How cool is that???

To win, check out The Gap Facebook page and let me know which pair of jeans you were born to wear by Thursday, September 10, 2009

For additional entries:
1. Link to this giveaway post on your blog and leave a comment with the link.
2. Follow me on twitter. http://www.twitter.com/NYCSingleMom.
3. Become a follower

4. Become a subscriber

Do not to forget to leave an email address or forward it to me at nycsinglemom@gmail.com.
Contest is open to US residents, ages 18 and over only.
Contest ends Thursday, September 10, 2009.
Winner will be selected by random.org and will be announced on the site.

Bliss Offer - Fit Flop Free with purchase of fatgirl three plus

I love Bliss products so I was thrilled to see that they offering a FREE pair of Fitflops with the purchase of the fatgirl three plus fit flop black free
.

This set includes the skin-slimming stuff of choice of supermodels, spokespeople and other celebs:
bliss fatgirlslim: a lean, mean skin firming cream set that visibly diminishes dimples.
bliss fatgirlsleep: a potent PM version of fat girl slim with slenderizzze complex™
bliss fatgirlscrub: promotes circulation through exfoliation and massage
fitflop walkstars.

Act fast - this offer is valid now through August 26th.

Support ShopRite Partners In Caring Program

Did you know that more than 36 million Americans (11 percent of U.S. households) suffer from Food Insecurity - food insecurity is when you are unsure when or what your next meal will be? I sure didn't.


I wanted to tell you about ShopRite Partners in Caring Program that is working to reduce that number. For the past 10 years, the company has donated $2 million annually to local food banks - $20 Million to date. Given these troubled economic times, there is more need for food assistance than ever in our communities and we need to get the word out!

That’s why I am asking for your help.

Every time a customer (that means you, your family, your friends) purchases products with the ShopRite Partners in Caring shelf tag, they support the brands that support the fight against hunger. At ShopRite, customers are not just filling a grocery bag, they are helping to fill empty bowls for thousands of hungry families in your community.

ShopRite Partners in Caring supports 23 regional food banks and more than 1,400 charitable agencies with food or meal replacements.

In addition to shopping at ShopRite, you can also send in a tax-deductible donation to the ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund or click here to make an on-line donation.


For more information on the ShopRite Partners in Caring Program, visit ShopRitePartnersinCaring.org

Build a Bear Giveaway

Last weekend, we were invited to a Build-a-Bear event to meet with Jamia Nash, who is releasing her new single, "Let's Talk About Love", in support of the Love.Hugs.Peace. movement that offers young people around the world fun and simple ways to show they care.

Jamia is an incredible singer and was featured in the movie, August Rush. Her song from the movie, Raise It Up was nominated for an Academy Award. She dazzled audiences at the 80th Academy Awards becoming the youngest African-American ever to perform on an Oscar Telecast.

The day we met her, she was also singing the National Anthem at the Mets game. Cool, right. She was so incredibly poised, sweet and patient posing for pictures. Hope she stays that way.

As you can imagine, my daughter was thrilled to go to an event where she could actually participate and have fun making her own creation. This trip was our third trip to the Build -A-Bear store but the second time visiting the store on 5th Avenue. Build a Bear is running an August promotion, if you can purchase a bear, 1 hanging outfit and 1 pair of shoes all for $29.99 so my daughter had a blast picking out her new pink and white bear, Sparkle Rainbow (what a name, kids are funny.)

The event wasn't all about my daughter as I had the opportunity to meet with other mom bloggers, Katja from www.simbacolifestyle.com, Onica from www.Blasianbabynotes.blogspot.com, Nicole from momtrends.blogspot.com, Kristina from www.kristinabrooke.org, and Yakini from www.prissymom.com.

A great group of women, so check out their sites.

Build a Bear Giveaway

But the best part is that Build A Bear was generous in providing a $25 Gift Card for www.newyorkcitysinglemom.com readers.

To win, check out the Build A Bear site and let me know which item you would make on your next visit by Friday, August 14.

For additional entries:

1. Link to this giveaway post on

your blog and leave a comment with the link.

2. Follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/NYCSingleMom

3. Become a follower

Do not to forget to leave an email address or forward it to me at nycsinglemom@gmail.com.

Contest open to US residents, ages 18 and over only.

Contest ends August 14, 2009.

Winner will be selected by random.org and will be announced on the site.

A Blast From My Fashion Past - Tretorn Tennis Shoes

Yesterday, I was in Soho on a mission to check out furniture at Room and Board and what caught my eye, the Tretorn store. Yes, the Tretorn store.

Do you remember Tretorns? I was such a fan back in the day. I must have worn those shoes all through high school and college.

I had been looking for sneakers for awhile and none really struck my fancy. My problem was that I was searching for something hip and cool. Instead the clean lines of the Tretorn Nylites with it's distinctive "v" toe shape and familiar gullwing logo was all I needed.

Just trying on the shoe brought a thrill to my step. I was so happy when I slipped them on that I literally jumped up and down and did a little jig (yes, a jig) in the store. I am sure that I gave the German tourists in the store something to talk about at dinner.

How funny is that that a pair of tennis shoes can make one so happy.

But fret not, I will not be reaching back and start wearing my other 1980s regalia; Lacoste shirts tucked inside my button down shirts, Topsiders, kilts, Papagallo bags, fair isle sweaters or better yet monogrammed sweaters will all stay tucked away in my memory.

Wow, how scary is that. I was such a preppie.

Mosquitos Be Gone - Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Does the Trick

My daughter is going to summer camp for the first time this year. While she is excited to be able to go swimming twice a day and basically, play all day, the flip side is that she was a little scared of the big, bad, biting mosquitos. I know, such a city kid.

So I was thrilled to be able to try Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus to combat those pesky bugs. According to Avon, SSS Bug Guard time-release technology is supposed to create an invisible barrier that provides eight hours of protection against certain insects while the SPF 30 also, provides a water-resistant sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Sounds great to me, sunscreen and bug spray in one.

Since we have tried the product, my daughter has had no complaints about mosquitos biting her. This is a big change from the first week of camp, where everyday, she showed me little welts from the bites and I had to apply itch creme to get her to stop scratching to avoid opening the skin. Plus, the smell is nice versus the bug spray we were using before.

Going forward, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus is my go to product because in the end, there is definitely a cost savings since I don't have to buy two products, sunscreen and bug spray, now it's just one.

If you want to see how the product actually works, here is a Today Show segment that shows that Avon product with it's patented IR 3535 in action. It is definitely a winner.

Enjoy.

Go to Avon.com to purchase the product.

Toys are Back at Sears!!!

Yes, Toys are Back at Sears! and I am thrilled that there is another option to buy toys.

Sears is inviting NYC families to come and celebrate the grand opening of the new Sears Toy Shop on Saturday, August 15th.

Sears new Toy Shops offer a unique experience for families where parents and children can come together to try out new toys, play and have an enjoyable shopping experience.

Enjoy family fun with Radio Disney, games, prizes and even a chance to visit with Santa to get those Wish Lists in early this year!

WHEN:

Saturday, August 15, 2009
12:00PM - 2:00PM

WHERE:

Sears Store
Woodbridge Center Sears Store
150 Woodbridge Center Court
Woodbridge, NJ 07015

I like that Sears also offers an affordable option of putting toys on layaway year round so plan ahead for the holidays.

FYI http://twitter.com/SearsToys

Friends Are Special - Say Thanks with Flowers

Starting August 2nd, 1-800-Flowers.com is celebrating National Friendship Week.

Take a moment to tell your best friend how much they mean to you or just to say thanks. The official flower for Friendship Day is the Yellow Rose, which symbolizes joy, happiness and appropriately, deep friendship.

Go to 1800-Flower.com and use promo code FRIENDSHIP, good for 15% off your purchase. This offer is good through August 15th.

The Lonely Doll - Retro or Disturbing?

Before my daughter's room became inundated with books, I spent hours wandering around the Strand bookstore looking for interesting children's book. One day I came upon the The Lonely Doll written by Dare Wright.

I never read the book growing up but thought it was an interesting story and the cover jumped out from the stack of books.

It is about a little girl named Edith who lives in a nice house but is super lonely. But one day she encounters two bears and she is lonely no more.

What I really liked about the book was that it stood from the crowd of illustrated books of today. Edith and the two bears are photographed in black and white in posed action shots throughout the book.

This makes the book unique and just plain out of the ordinary versus all that you see today.

I wasn't sure my daughter would like the book given its lack of color but she does and it is now her favorite book to read. The one thing I should point out and she noticed immediately is that one scene is disturbing especially for today's politically correct parents.

At one point in the story, Edith misbehaves and the older bear spanks her for her transgressions. I am sure at the time this book was written in 1957, spanking was quite acceptable.

After she read it the first time, I asked her if she liked it and she said "Yes, I like Edith and the bears. I like that they dress up. But I don't like that Edith got a spanking from the big bear".

Who would?

Check out The Lonely Doll

What is your favorite childhood book that you are reading with your child?

PF Flyers - Gift with Promotion at Saks Fifth Avenue New York

To introduce their PF Flyers Kids line, Saks Fifth Avenue New York is running a gift with purchase promotion beginning June 18. 

If you buy one pair of adult PF Flyers, you will receive from a select number of PF Flyers kids shoes, valued at $40.  

Just a little history about PF Flyers  (trust me I forgot.)

PF Flyers is one of those original American sneaker brands. P and F stand for Posture Foundation, not so sexy sounding is it, but the shoe design has been updated and evolved into a modern style for you cool chicks out there, who are looking for both function and style in a sneaker. Believe you me, it's hard to find a "sneaker" that does both without not looking too young, outlandish or that you are trying to hard to be in.

 

Here is one of the women's sneakers from the current line which I think is pretty cute.

And here are the kids shoes that are the gift with purchase- funky, classic, cool. 

This promotion is for the Saks Fifth Avenue New York store only. I wish this was available online because as we all know, you can't always get out to a store. 

Take note Saks and PF Flyers for your next promotion. On the other hand, I am sure that from a bottom line perspective, sales versus profit margins has to be a concern in this tough retail market. 

Recommend Hayao Miyazaki Films - Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky

It is rare to find these movies rereleased in the theaters but if you like Japanese anime films and are looking for wonderful, delightful and entertaining non -Disney movies to take your kids to, I enthusiastically recommend both movies. 

Here is a quick synopsis of both movies. 

Castle in the Sky - A young boy stumbles into a mysterious girl who floats down from the sky. The girl, Sheet, was chased by pirates, army and government secret agents. In saving her life, they begin a high flying adventure that goes through all sorts of flying machine, eventually searching for Sheet's identity in a floating castle of a lost civilization. Recommended for ages 8+.

Kiki's Delivery Service - Kiki is a  13 year old witch-in-training. According to tradition, all witches of that age must leave home for one year, so that they can learn how to live on their own. She goes to live in another town with her talking cat Gigi. After starting her own delivery service (using her broom as the delivery vehicle). Recommend for all ages. 

Click here for dates, times and tickets. 

If you can't get to the movie, you can buy them from Amazon. See Amazon. com link on my site. 

Cool Shopping Site - My Mom Shops

Just wanted to pass on a unique and fun  shopping site that I like and check everyday. 

Whether you are looking for your child, friends/family or  a treat for yourself (yes, you are entitled to  indulge once in a while), this is a site worth checking out. 

 I am always looking for interesting presents and this site always seems to provide options that I had not thought of. 

Check it out. My Mom Shops

I wish this store was around a few years ago

I happened upon Kee-Ka at the Time-Warner Center. Really cute organic, eco-chic clothes. There is a variety of products ranging from onesies to T-shirts to robes that have variety of little logos (e.g. peanut, sweet pea, monkey). I thought the prices were reasonable as well. All the products look well made. 

I would have loved to have bought Alex a new T-shirt but alas the sizes only go up to 4T. 

Here is a 10% of coupon code: VMCC to use at checkout. 

Save 15% at 1800Flowers.com

Mother's Day is coming up so take advantage of the 15% off offer from 1800flowers.com.

Use Promo Code MDAY

Order by May 3