Three Haute Mamas

"I believe in the power of women. As nurturers, we have a unique ability to care and share and make the world a better place." Donna Karan

Hello Mamas,

I recently took a trip into Boston to meet with the leaders of Room to Grow Boston and other members of their development committee. Every time I sit down with them I learn something new about the organization.  The mission of Room to Grow is to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first three years of development. 

Most women are referred by neo-natal clinics in the area. Room to Grow sees about 30 families a week. Parents visit Room to Grow every three months, starting at the mother's third trimester of pregnancy and then throughout the baby's first three years of life. At each visit, our clinicians monitor the baby's developmental progress and help parents navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys of parenting. This includes helping parents understand their child's developmental stages, offering strategies to recognize and respond to their child's many needs, and providing resources and support to help cope with raising a child in typically stressful circumstances. At every visit parents also receive age-appropriate material necessities, allowing them to provide fully for their baby in an immediate and meaningful way. 

This is where we all can help! 

Boston winters can be frigid, so it is our priority to keep all of our babies toes warm and toasty, and their tummies full of healthy food. Fortunately, this February Room to Grow will be getting some help from the second annual Tummy to Toes Drive, supported by the Boston Globe, Boston Cares and Building Impact. New and lightly used shoes appropriate for newborns to age three will be collected at dozens of locations around the Greater-Boston area. Last year this drive received more than 800 pairs of shoes, and the Greater Boston Food Bank received much needed food.

There are several locations where you can drop off items to be donated.

Isis Parenting in Needham and Hanover.

Mamas Move in Norwell

Colorwheel Collection Roslindale

Doggie Day Boston

 

If you live in the South Coast area you can email us at [email protected] to schedule a pick up.

So Mamas start your spring cleaning early, make some Room to Grow in your child's closet by donating new and lightly used clothing and products.  You will be helping another Mother care for her little one!

"I believe in the power of women. As nurturers, we have a unique ability to care and share and make the world a better place. Women who Inspire are women who are making a difference. - Donna Karan

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

Where flowers bloom so does hope ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Hello Mamas,

This Valentine's Day or for any special occasion if the gift of flowers is what you would like to give.  The Ellie Fund has partnered with Kabloom in Brookline Massachusetts for their shop with a purpose campaign. For every  Kabloom bouquet you purchase through the Ellie Fund website a $30 value for just $15, a donation of $6.75 is made to the Ellie Fund!! 

The EllieFund mission is to fight breast cancer and ease its effects on patience and families. They provide transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries and prepared delivered meals free of charge to more than 500 breast cancer patients and families  across Massachusetts each year. 

Such a wonderful charity and your donation will bring piece of mind to these families!! 

Mamas Helping Mamas!!

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

Coffee with Oscar, Ellie Fund Style

The mamas are in the midst of preparing for a totally haute event, benefitting one of our favorites, The Ellie Fund, and we recently got a sneak peek into some of the fab fun surrounding the event: 

photo by: Cheryl Richards

On January 25th, The Ellie Fund hosted "Coffee With Oscar" at the Mandarin
Oriental, Boston to celebrate Bay State nominees and kick off "The Road To
Oscars" ending with a gala on Feb. 27. Celebrating seven Oscar nominations,
actress Erica McDermott, "The Fighter"; WCVB's Bianca de la Garza, actress
Melissa McMeekin (also "The Fighter), and The Ellie Fund's gala gal Julie
Nations. On hand to cheer on the nominees were Jodi Purdy-Quinlan of South
Shore Casting and  Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham, in Boston this
week to star as Shylock in ArtsEmerson's presentation of Shakespeare's "The
Merchant of Venice" March 29-April 10, 2011.

Who doesn't love the Oscars, the Red Carpet arrivals, and all the glitz and glamor that goes with it?  Be a part of the action, and celebrate all all those Boston-affliated nominated movies (High five locals! The Fighter, The Town, and The Social Network).  And more importantly, dish the dirt on who's wearing what while supporting a great cause

Tickets are now on sale for Massachusetts' only official Oscar Night Party
benefiting the Ellie Fund; for details visit www.elliefund.org/Oscars2011.

We have our tickets, now the important task of what to wear on the red carpet. Stay tuned...

Losing weight the good old fashioned way-Closet Purging

Oops, I did it again.  Last week I purged.  Heaved it all.  Tossed the goodies.  

Yep.  That's five and half trash bags (lawn bags! EEK!) from my closets and dressers.  I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, but I do love shoes.  And purses.  Oh..and dresses..my weakness is a good dress.  But there is something I don't like and that is "stuff".  Stuff in my face, stuff I don't use, stuff that doesn't fit, stuff that fits and doesn't matter, it still looks horrid.  That "stuff".  I like organization the likes of a surgeon. So off I went, tossing and purging.  There was no holding back.  I think I actually saw shoes cowering.   I packed those bags to the gills, and tossed them right out to the curb to await pick up from a local non profit.  There was only one moment where I began to sweat, a top I remembered that I genuinely liked.  But what bag was it in? Was it worth searching through fiveandahalfbags for? It wasn't.  And a week later, I am happy to report all is well.  The off the shoulder, flash dance-esque tee is on the shelves of the nearest Big Brother, Big Sister facility ready for the next dancing diva to don.  

So with this new year upon us, dive in and tackle those closets.  Let go of the bads, the uglies and even some goods if you don't think you'll use them.  Out with the old, in with the new, yada yada.  Your closet should be efficient, organized and full of key pieces you actually wear.  Your closet is not a museum full of things to just look at.  Well, I'll admit..I do sneak in there a bit and gaze, but I wear my clothes, my shoes and my accessories.  Nothing is off limits, and if it is, off it goes.  

As one friend put it, " Well..you have to make room for that Spring wardrobe!".

Lucky Kimberly, has the fabulous Christen of Christen Mitchell Styling coming over to tackle her closet tomorrow, sans Hefty bags I assume.  Stay tuned for the video and follow up as we come out of the closet...Kimberly's closet! 

Speaking of Red Carpet Events The Oscars Come to Boston for One Haute Night .......

Hello Mamas,

As I was reading Kate's post on Miss America, red carpets etc. I instantly thought about this phenomenal event that has us Mamas giddy with excitement! It is the Ellie Fund Oscar Night Gala. Thats right the Oscars come to boston for one night February 27th 2011 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston. The Ellie Fund is honored to host the only Oscar's party in Massachusetts officially sanctioned by the Academy of  Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Kate, Christina and I have been to many Ellie Fund Events and let me tell you they know how to throw a party! Emcee's for this event are WCVB Channel 5 stars Susan Wornick, Bianca de la Garza, JC Monahan ad David Brown. I can tell you from experience Susan Wornick is " Much funnier in person than she is on TV!" and that my friends is an inside joke if you have attended past Ellie Fund events. We always have a great time and leave feeling good that we were able to help such a great charity. 

Honestly, why do the stars get to have all the fun!! We are glamming it up big time for this event. Won't you Mamas join us! This would make a great Valentine's Day gift, couples night out or girls night out! All to support our Mamas and their families who are battling breast cancer.

 

 

To learn more about Oscar Night click here.

We hope you will join us in supporting this wonderful charity!! Our motto is and always will be Mamas helping Mamas!!! 

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

Mamas Helping Mamas! 2011..... Let's help make a difference!!

Hello Mamas,

Yesterday I visited Room to Grow Headquarters in Boston. I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Elizabeth Chernack Community Relations Manager and also Saskia Epstein Executive Director for Room to Grow Boston. 

Upon arriving I was instantly greeted and made to feel right at home. These women are warm and kind and very passionate about making a difference. I was impressed by all the wonderful items that they had received thus far and also with the way it was merchandised. I felt like I was in a boutique! The thought behind that is, they want their moms to see the pride Room to Grow has in helping them as well as their child. 

All of this requires help of volunteers. From filling their shelves with clothes, strollers, books etc. to volunteering your time at Room to Grow by helping to sort items and stock the shelves for our Mom's and Babies in need. This is where they are asking for our help!

For 2011 Room to Grow Boston is looking to expand to serve upwards of 350 babies. To best fulfill their needs, they also need to expand their Volunteer Committees.

 

 What a committee member would be asked to do is organize at least one collection drive or contact a local place of business to become a collection site. Help with Program Committee activities, like holiday gift wrapping at Henry Bear's Park.  The program committee will meet twice a year as a group and you will also be needed to volunteer at least one two hour sessions to help sort in-kind donations. You can come solo or with co-workers, family or friends. If you are interested in becoming a program committee member you can contact [email protected]

Kate, Christina and I are so excited to help and organize our first collection drive! We hope to help spread the word today and enlist a few Mamas around Massachusetts to help as well. 

 

Only great souls know the grandeur there is in Charity ---  Jacques Benigne Bossuet 

Lets add this to our forward thinking list of 2011.... I'm looking forward to making a difference at Room to Grow!

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

Santas little sick ward

Oh the joys of motherhood.  Two days before Christmas, and my oldest has the stomache bug, my youngest has pnemonia and hub is currently undergoing knee surgery.  It's the hap-happiest season of all..... 

People always make fun of me for having my shopping and wrapping done the weekend after Thanksgiving, but as the mother of three asthmatics, it's a crapshoot as to the health and well being of our holidays.  Should the need arise for last minute gifts and I am housebound, I turn to the magic of the internet, and handiness of American Express. 

~Heifer International online donations and e-cards:  A lovely contribution to an organization that provides families with hope and an end to hunger.  

With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace.

Imagine the look on your mother in laws face when you tell her that you purchased her a cow!

~MYO Cd's  (make your own CD's): Spread the holiday cheer by burning your favorite Christmas tunes to a CD.  You can easily download them from iTunes and/or Amazon and upload to a CD.  Create a cute CD sleeve from your childs artwork, and voila! Santa's little rockstar! 

~Memberships: For the families in your life think museums, zoos, sports parks, etc.  Our Christmas Eve Day tradition (until this year apparently) has always been to hit the Boston Children's Museum.  We arrive super early, and the children have the place to themselves.  I don't think my kids know they can go any other day of the year.  Most memberships like this can be purchased, and printed up online.  

 

~Tickets! Who doesn't love attending an event or show? Last year Santa brought my girls tickets to Finding Nemo on Ice which they adored.  Santa did not have the tickets ready Christmas eve, so he wrote a note letting us know when and where we would be attending.  Kudos Santa! Ticketmaster has lots of future shows to peruse for all ages, or check your local venues.  

*Dear Santa, Nemo-schmemo.  It's all Kenny this year.  

~And finally, consider a charitable contribution to your local childrens hospital.  We have spent far too much time in the past years at our Childrens Hospital in Boston, but not as much time as we could have due to the  wonderful care received.  I am thankful that we have such a top notch hospital in the area, and even more thankful when we leave;) 

Things may not be perfect at our house, but I know things could be a lot worse, and regardless it still is the hap-happiest season of allllllll.......and the holiday music, much to the annoyance of the ill and infirmed, will continue to play 24/7 until this nurse says so. 

 

 

Our first Holiday Giveaway... A children's book titled Basketball with Big Baby!

Hello mamas,

It was an hour and forty five minute drive on a tuesday night with four kids but my friend Jon Goode and Big Baby Davis were worth every... I'm hungry, are we there yet? When are we going to be there? Why is it sooo long mom to get there! I'm hungry!

I of course a proud Boston Sports Fan kinda gal and mom of four was all over this! The launch party we were attending at the Lowell Beer Works was to promote the book titled Basketball with Big Baby and  to raise money for a Charity called C2 Mission a charity that helps children affected by cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.  

 

We made it and met Big Baby Davis! who by the way told us they WILL be bringing a Championship banner back to Boston this year!! Waaahoooo!!!!! 

I caught up with the author of the book Jon Goode and put him in "The Haute Seat" here is what he had to say.........

 

 How did the book come about? Theme?

The book idea came about as I wanted to do something different than my first one which was an actual story. As I contemplated different ideas I really liked the thought of spelling out the word "BASKETBALL" then using each letter as an adjective. I felt it was something kids and parents could relate too while also allowing fun illustrations.


 How did you get to collaborate with Big Baby Davis?

I first met and talked with Big Baby before a Lowell Spinners game where he was doing an appearance on a special Celtics Night throwing autographed mini-basketballs into the crowd fans and kids could win. I showed him my first book and really loved it. When I mentioned the idea of doing one with him he was all about it and has been great to work with right from that point. He is really excited about the childrens book and has been very supportive.


 What would you like our mom's to know about the books message to children?

There are many messages in the book, but my favorite messages are effort, setting goals and believing in yourself. I think those three all go hand in hand and are very important for kids to learn. It's important for kids to set goals and go after those goals, but the only way they will achieve those goals is by putting in the right effort and hard-work while believing you can achieve anything. 

 Why have you chosen the C2 Mission as your Charity?

The C2 Mission is a foundation I started a few years ago to benefit children and families affected by Cerebral Palsy and Cystic Fibrosis. It's important to me on a personal level as I have CP and because of my mom I now live a normal life where people cannot tell. 

When I was a baby and the time came for me to walk I had a lot of trouble walking. Finally my mom decided to take me to the doctors to find out what was wrong and I was diagnosed with having Cerebral Palsy.  The doctor told my mom I would never be able to walk. My mom is my hero as she took so much time out of her life to put me through physical therapy and is the reason why I can walk and live a normal life now. All I remember is running on the beach and to me that was fun. I never realized it was physical therapy. I have since gone on to attend college on a running scholarship and have run a marathon in under three hours (2:54 to be exact). Everyday I wake up so thankful I can do things on my own from taking a shower to brushing my teeth. Now I want to be able to give back to others because of how lucky I am. 

My niece Alison has Cystic Fibrosis so its a personally dream of mine that kids with CF can grow up to live a normal life like I have been able too.

         Pictured above is the Illustrator Rachel Gregorio, Glen Davis and Author Jon Goode

 

Writing children's books and my job with the Spinners has allowed me to do something that has become one of my favorite things, which is tour elementary schools speaking to all the kids talking about the messages each book delivers. I might not make a difference with every child, but even if its just one it's worth it. I am able to use the Spinners, Red Sox, Celtics and the players to capture the kids attention and when I have their attention deliver positive messages. I just have so much fun speaking with the kids and interacting with them. The questions they have can be a riot.

Thanks Jon! the world could use more positive role models like you for our children.  Mamas this book is fun and easy to read and really has a wonderful message about hard work, loving what you do and believing in yourself. Kate, Christina and I would highly recommend it as mom's and  Proud Celtics fans! You can order a copy of the book here and you are also making a contribution to a wonderful charity.  Makes a wonderful donation to your child's school or Public Library as well.

And now the Mamas would like to giveaway a copy of this book signed by the author and Big Baby Davis to one lucky fan of Three Haute Mamas. Just send us a comment on twitter, Facebook or our blog to enter . We will be choosing a winner on Monday the 20th! Good Luck!

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

 

 

 

This Holiday ... Make some room to give and feel your heart grow!!

Hello Mamas,

As you know Kate, Christina and I are all about Mamas helping Mamas and one of the charities we support are in need of our help.  As we begin our decent into the coldest months of the year Room to Grow posted this on their website. We have an urgent need for winter coats and snowsuits, especially in size newborn to 3 months.

 

You could help by getting the word out to friends and family,  host a collection drive or deliver your lightly used or new jackets to Room to Grow directly or to one of our collection sites.  Kate, Christina and I would gladly pick up any donations you may have and forward them along.  Just email us at [email protected]

Thanks in advance for helping make a difference!

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

On the the 8th day of the holiday, we honor Elizabeth Edwards + the Ellie Fund

You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces -- my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope.  These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. 

~ Elizabeth Edwards

What mother doesn't ache at the thought of Elizabeth Edwards' passing and the idea of her children losing their mother to breast cancer? And especially during the holiday season.  Face it, we all sit and for a moment, we are in her shoes.  And it sucks. 

This season many children are struggling with their own mothers undergoing medical treatment for breast cancer.  It's not an easy road, and the Ellie Fund, like Santa, is there to swoop in and provide support to Massachusetts patients and families in times of need.  Please consider donating to this beautiful organization who does so much good throughout the entire year, unlike Mr. Claus, who only works his magic one day a year.  We still love you Santa.

 

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas."
~ W. C. Jones