Britney Spears Give Birth to a Baby Boy

What's up with this? I thought that Brit was having a girl and that she thought that she was "so blessed" for having a son and a daughter? Were we duped? Did she know that she was having a boy all along? So many questions and no real answers. For all I know, she could've just given birth to the first full-sized man! According to Celebrity Baby (who claims that they have confirmed info from the reliable Access Hollwood: "The baby boy was born just before 2 am on Tuesday, September 12th, just as the National Enquirer reported. Baby is reportedly 19 inches long and weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 oz (same as big brother Sean Preston, 11 months, did at birth)! Kevin text messaged friends early this morning with, "Break out the cigars! We got a baby boy in the house!"

It's all so confusing...and yet incredibly interesting. I love hollywood gossip.

18-Miler Tomorrow

I can't believe that the day has come for us to finally run 18 miles! Absolutely crazy. I am a little nervous since my leg has been bothering me for over a week now and I am not sure if it will hold up for the whole 18 miles. I am not even clear on what is causing the pain. Sometimes it's in my hip and sometimes it's my hamstring and then sometimes it's my knee. What's up with that?! Anyway, I am going to stretch a lot tonight and will be going to bed early to rest up.

To be honest, the most stressful part of marathon training is the fundraising part. For those of you who don't know, my place in the NYC marathon is guaranteed only by the fact that I have promised to raise $2500 for charity. I have chosen to raise money for Team for Kids to help fight childhood obesity - a great cause, indeed! In any event, fundraising is not an easy task.

If you feel inclined to help out, please click on the link https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/5531.1.082834958674165202 and type in my last name (Arnot) and my registration number (3395).

You can also purchase a shirt from www.cafepress.com/runnerchick. Proceeds from shirt sales also go to Team for Kids. Every little bit help! And don't forget...it's all tax deductible!!!

More Baby Chic from Girl Charlee

If you follow fashion, then you probably know that retro is always in. Magazines like GQ, Esquire, Elle and Vanity Fair always feature a nice spread of beautiful models sporting vintage designs from some past decade. Whether it be the roaring 30s or the sexy 70s, these retro style outfits are strangely familiar and definitely in vogue.

Thanks to Girl Charlee, your tot can also partake in the retro revolution. This chic online boutique features one-of-a-kind children's apparel made from real vintage fabrics which are sure to match the uniqueness of your child. The clothing designs are also retro. Not only is the fabric vintage, but so is the design. Each outfit is designed to reflect the era from which the vintage fabric came from. Very cool.

The vintage dresses and bottoms are incredibly adorable for baby and toddler girls. As a mother of a 15-month old boy, I must say that I have fallen in love with the baby lounge set in the umbrella print. And if you want to talk about eye candy, then must check out the baby undies, which are a fashionable way to cover up your tot's frumpy and lumpy diaper. Sweet and delectable for both boys and girls.

Girl Charlee also features an assortment of hip gifts for moms and dads. Hey, if you are into urban chic, then have to outfit the entire family - not just the baby! Check out more retro styles at www.girlcharlee.com.

Little Showoffs - Bringing the Art of Showing Off to Another Level!

Isn't it funny how quickly our babies learn to showoff? My son could barely hold up his head when he started seeking attention for the small "talents" he was quickly acquiring - smiling, cooing and sticking out his tongue were among the first talents he mastered! Now that he is walking and able to say things like "quack quack" and blow kisses to complete strangers, he has brought the art of showing off to entirely different level. But really, I can't blame him... after all, my husband and I are equally (if not more) guilty of participating in our own share of parental bragging.

So, it is not surprising that, as a mother of a 15-month old showoff, I fell in love with the super soft 100% tees designed by Little Showoffs. This online boutique offers up a full range of fun and expressive baby and adult tees and infant onesies in a variety of vibrant colors, fabulous styles and attention-grabbing prints.

Make sure to check out all the fun garb - including baby caps, mommy and daddy tees, doggie tees and sibling shirts! As a New Yorker, I must say that I am partial to the city slickers line. The city slickers baby and toddler shirts are super cute for cosmopolitan kids, especially when paired with the karate pants. I also love the daddy tee and daddy's little girl tee... scrumptious!!!

Truth be told, I am not the only one who is raving about Little Showoffs... and I don't mean to name drop, but you should know that many celebs and their celeb offspring have been spotted wearing the Little Showoffs line. Gwyneth Paltrow, Debra Messing, Courtney Cox and Jennifer Garner are among the A-listers who have outfitted their kids in these fun and lively boutique tees.

Check out the entire line at www.LITTLESHOWOFFS.com

Half Marathon - A Success!

Well, last Saturday marked the inaugural NYC Half-Marathon, sponsored by Nike...and I ran it in 2 hours 16 minutes. Some may say that the time isn't great, but I am still very proud of myself. I finished the race with grace and plenty of energy to spare. In fact, I felt (for the first time) like I could actually run 26.2 miles! I didn't crash or hit the wall, and I wasn't the least bit sore the next day. It seems that our training program is working well - now the next test is this weekend's long run of 16 miles. Yep, that's the longest ever! The scary part is that I am going to be out of town and I have to run the long run alone (i.e., sans husband). Needless to say, I have packed my ipod full of entertaining and booty-moving tunes. Let's hope that I can run the 16 miles with as much ease as I ran the 13.1 miles!

Before I sign off... I want to remind everyone that I am running the NYC Marathon for Charity and I am looking for donations. All proceeds go to Team for Kids to help provide physical activity programs for children and help reverse the increasing rate of childhood obesity. To donate, go to https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm
and type in my last name - ARNOT - and my registration number - 3395. And yes, all donations are tax deductible!

You can also help support the cause by purchasing one of my sexy running shirts at www.cafepress.com/runnerchick - Proceeds from each purchase goes to Team for Kids

Still Running and Still Fundraising!

So, we had our longest run ever last weekend - 15 miles! I am not going to lie and try to convince you that it was easy and enjoyable. In fact, it was the hardest run I have ever done. I was already feeling tired and unmotivated right at the start and everything went downhill from there. The good news is that I hung in there and I was not even sore the next day. We have a half-marathon this coming weekend (the Nike NYC Half Marathon) and I am actually looking forward to it. I figure that I have somehow gotten stronger - mentally - from last weekend's run. This marathon thing really is a rollercoaster ride both mentally and physically. I will be so proud of myself once I cross that finish line on November 5th!

In addition to my running program, I am also fundraising for Team for Kids, an organization that endeavors to beat childhood obesity. I have committed myself to raise $2500 and need your help. You can make a direct contribution by going to the Team for Kids website and typing in my registration number: 3395.

I am also selling funky running gear through Cafe Press. All profits are being donated to Team for Kids. Check out the line at www.cafepress.com/runnerchick and buy what you like - it's all going to a good cause!

Mangos - A Sweet Fruit and A Cool Invite

The story is sweet and the product is sweeter. Mango Ink, an online trend-setting stationary boutique, really did begin with a love for mangoes, entertaining and invitations. And just as the Mango Ink story is about life - beginning with a boy who falls in love mangos and ends with a man who falls in love with a woman who loves entertaining just as much as he does - Mango Ink products are also about life. Regardless of your stage in life, Mango Ink has a stationary to suit you. Whether you are hosting a grown-up party, planning a wedding, announcing the birth of a child or just happy that it's Summer, you'll be sure to find what you are looking for at www.mangoink.com.

You can choose from a cool line of Mango Seeds, which allows you to personalize your stationary by sending in a photo and your own words (as the Mango Ink motto goes: "Your words, your photos, your personality, we just add the mango juice to sweeten it up.") or you can select an exclusive design from the line of Mango Notes. All notes are printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper and professionally hand-mounted on white, high-quality 5.5" x 4.5" note cards.

Either way, you can't go wrong! All the stationary is so hip and incredibly memorable... What a great way to celebrate every stage of your family's life.

A Do-Run-Run A Do-Run-Run

So, we are on week 8 of marathon training and now the fun really begins! This Saturday is our first really long run - 13 miles! This will be the longest distance that I have ever run and I may be crazy, but I am actually looking forward to the grueling grind around Central Park in the scorching NYC heat. I guess I'll have to bring lots of GU (which I, oddly enough, love and crave...especially the vanilla flavor) and drinks lots of fluids (which, for some reason, I hate doing). At least I won't be alone in my 13 mile journey this Saturday. My husband, who is also training for the marathon, will be running with me. I must say that I love the time we spend training together, and I really love the shorter runs when we can bring our son in our running stroller. On most days, our son is in good spirits and we all enjoy the run. On the days that "in a mood," running isn't as much fun.

Anyway, there's not much else to report. My husband and I are (knock on wood) in good spirits and good health, and are super excited about this weekend's run.

Couture for Little Girls

You know your little girl is a princess and you also know that she shouldn't have to settle for anything less than fabulous. So, why should she have anything other than a couture-inspired wardrobe? That's right - move over Baby Gap and make room for hottest thing to hit the world of baby girl clothing - Loopy! This line of clothing is not only fun to say, but it's super cute, too.

Some of my favorites come from the Loopy City collection with its flavor of "ballerina." Stylish and sassy, this collection is perfect for weddings and special events.

As if cuteness wasn't enough, these little girl garments are incredibly well made - by hand, no less! In fact the story is quite quaint. The entire collection is hand made by individual seamstresses and knitter throughout Britain. The creator of the collection, Nancy Krzyzanowski , brings comes from a solid fashion background. In her former life, she worked with luxury brands such as, Chanel, Celine, Cartier and C. Jourdan. That said, it's not surprising that she decided to design a line of 'couture for little girls.' Check out more Loopy at www.loopydesign.com where you can buy online or find "brick and mortar" stores where you can find the Loopy line.

Running the Marathon and Need Your Support

The time has come for me to become a true New Yorker - I have decided to run in this year's NYC marathon. As much fun as it is to watch the marathon whirl by from the sidelines, I think that it would be even "funner" to run the 26.2 mile journey through the greatest and grandest city in the world!

Not only will I be running the marathon as a personal challenge, which I will be writing about on this blog throughout my training, but I will be running it for a worthy cause - to fight childhood obesity. I have always been concerned about this growing epidemic (after all, children are our future and it is our responsibility to ensure that we teach them how to live happy and healthy lives) and have become increasingly passionate about it since becoming a mother myself last year.

That said, I will be running to raise funds for the Team for Kids, which is the youth-services arm of New York Road Runners that provides fitness programs for 15,000 children in New York and across the country who have little or no access to physical education.

While my personal success in the marathon depends on my training and determination, my commitment to raise $2500 for the New York Road Runners Foundation depends on others, which is why I'm asking you to support my efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible contribution will help pay for the supplies, uniforms, events, and transportation that make the programs happen and truly give youth a running start. I encourage you to consider a minimum gift of $1 per mile (or $26.20), though no donation is too small (or too large!) and all are appreciated.

Please take a moment to go to www.teamforkids.org and click on "Contribute," where you will need my entry number: 3395. The NYRR Foundation will inform me of all contributions, so I can send you a well-deserved thank you after the marathon.

At the end of 26.2 miles, I will be exhausted, but also grateful for and exhilarated by the support that I've received through your generosity.

All the best and thanks for your support! By the way, keep coming back to my blog to keep track of my training progress.

Cheers,
Nada

A Sneak Peek At A Brand New Clothing Line For boys

Boys get the bad end of the stick in fashion most of the time and the designers behind this brand new label - Colin Maguire - have combined both comfort, style and a good cause.

The designs found on Colin Maguire tees were created by kids residing at The Children’s Inn at NIH (www.childrensinn.org). The National Institutes of Health provides the latest treatment options for seriously ill children. The Inn at NIH offers a place like home for these brave children and their families. Colin Maguire’s partnership with The Inn at NIH supports the Inn financially, but it also helps to share the spirit of these special children and their loved ones with children across the country.

The shirts are 100% super-soft cotton with contrast stitching and distressed hemlines. They are currently available in sizes 18-24 mos, 2T, 3T, 4T and 5T. Long-sleeve “layered” tees are available for fall and many short-sleeve styles are on the way. New artwork is submitted regularly allowing for the launch of a new tee shirt every month! All come with unique “About the Artist” hangtags.


10% of the profits from the sale of every tee is given to The Children's Inn at NIH

Giddy Giddy

I tried to come up with a creative title for this blog entry, but I couldn’t seem to find anything that described these designer hair clips better than the company’s own name – Giddy Giddy. These super-sweet, handcrafted clips are the creation of self-proclaimed “craftaholic” mom, Teri Dimalanta. Needing both a creative outlet and a practical way to tame her baby girl’s unwieldy mohawk, Teri began designing her own hair clips. And thanks to entrepreneurial spirit, she created Giddy Giddy – a line of cute and quirky clips for little girls. From flowers to gumdrops to pink popsicles, these clips are the epitome of eye candy.

Check out the entire collection at www.chloeinstyle.com.

Bling Baby Bling

It’s true - your kid can never be too young to appreciate the value of bling. While the other babies are crawling around in powder blue or pink onesies that are covered in mystery stains, your baby could be sporting the latest in high-end baby fashion – 100% cotton onesies complete with Genuine Swarovski Crystals by Mama & Bambino. The "Red Sox Fan" onesie is super cute and the “I Love Daddy” onesie makes a great Father’s Day gift.

And if you are in the market for some bling for yourself, then you should check out Mama & Bambino’s “Mommy Tank.” Available in black, light blue or hot fuschia pink, these tanks are fully embellished with Genuine Swarovski Crystals. A-listers like Katie Holmes, Angela Basset and Gwyneth Paltrow are all owners of the sexy, bling-inspired tanks.

While you’re at it, make sure to take a look at the “Bambino’s Who Lunch” dining set. Rather than rummaging around the diaper bag for a fork or spoon (which is probably crusted with yesterday’s lunch or some old teething biscuit crumbs), the “Who Lunch” set has everything you need to feed your baby. This is where fashion meets function. Upon opening this pack, you will find a place for a fork and spoon on one side, and a pocket on the other that holds a disposable bib, placemat and hand wipes (all included!)

For more bling baby paraphernalia, visit www.mamaandbambino.com.

Yoga Baby

I am big into yoga – it was my saving grace both during and after pregnancy. I am convinced that my labor wouldn’t have been as bearable as it was if I had not practiced yoga throughout my pregnancy. And it was yoga that helped me get back into shape…post-baby.

While I am by no means a yogi, I am quite familiar with most of the poses – downward facing dog, pigeon pose, goddess pose and, of course, child’s pose. While going through the sun salutations the other day, I suddenly realized that all the poses that we were doing in class are “poses” that my 12-month old baby does at home. That’s when I came to the conclusion that yoga is innate – we are born to salute the sun. But seriously, if we began practicing yoga as children and carried on with our practice throughout our lives, I truly believe that we would live happier and healthier lives.

That said, I am a huge advocate of baby-and-me yoga classes! What a great way to bond with you tot while also helping your baby tap into the yogi within him or her. And why not do it in style? Thanks to Lotus Children, you can outfit you offspring in the coolest yoga wear around. The “omesie,” “baby om pant” and “yoga t-suit” are all must-haves for your tot’s yoga wardrobe. And when your baby has outgrown the baby om pant, he/she can graduate to Lotus Children’s great toddler line of yoga attire.

Namaste.

Father's Day - Coming June 18th

Whether he's a dad or a dad-to-be, he deserves a present for Father's Day...which is coming really soon! June 18th is just around the corner, so don't wait until the last minute to start thinking about what to get the dad in your household.

Check out the line of Funky Stork products at The Funky Stork Shop - You'll find Father's Day tees, hats and mugs as well as some fun stuff for you and your tot. Make sure to check out our most popular Father's Day items - our "Great Dad" line and our "Cute Baby - Cute Dad" products. They are perfect for new and expectant fathers!

Cool Gear For Babes

Whether you are shopping for a hot babe (aka expectant mom) or a cute babe (aka baby), you'll undoubtedly find what you are looking for at Meringue Boutique. They carry a large selection of women's, maternity and baby gear, which is all very stylish. I only wish I knew about Meringue Boutique when I was pregnant - they have some fabulous evening dresses that flatter the pregnant belly as well as some super comfy and super sexy sweats (no this is not an oxymoron). But alas, I am not pregnant anymore. That said, I am a new mom who loves her retail therapy! Thankfully, Meringue Boutique has a ton of cool baby stuff to satisfy my retail needs - all very decadent and very cute! Check it out at www.meringueboutique.com.

Crazy About Photos!

I have never been a picture person, that is, until the birth of my son. Suddenly, everything is picture-worthy! His first smile, then his second smile, and his third smile...well, you get the point. At about the same time I realized that I had a photo addiction, I also discovered that I had a picture frame addiction. So began my pursuit for stylish frames that could both showcase pictures of our little bundle of sunshine and match the decor of very cramped Manhattan apartment.

My pursuit ended with the discovery of Sticky Prints. Started by a picture-crazy, space-saving, certified stay-at-home mom, Sticky Prints are stylish frames with a magnetic backing. This means that you can create your own baby gallery on your refrigerator, filing cabinet or any other magnet-friendly surface. Simply brilliant!

The frames are sold individually as well as in sets of three. The seasonal and limited addition sets are super cool, and the personalized frames are a perfect gift idea. Check out the entire line at www.stickyprints.com - Psst...they add new designs to their collection every month!

Froo Froos From Fabby Gabby

In case you haven't heard - a froo froo is a handmade tutu. Where have you been? All the coolest princesses are wearing them these days! Yes, I am talking about a tutu that is fabulously fluffy and perfect for little girls who insist on wearing only the most royal pieces of clothing. I have seen many froo froo-wearing princesses enjoying their kid's hot chocolate at Starbucks or simply hanging out in Central Park. They love the attention and they love the glam - and honestly, who can blame them? If I wasn't a 29-year old wife of an attorney and mother of an 11-month old boy, then I might consider sporting a froo froo myself.

But if you are looking for something for your babe to wear on a non-froo froo day, then you should check out Fabby Gabby's line of onesies, tot tees and mom & baby sets. Super cute and super chic!

Go Organic with BABYBEARSHOP

There are a million and three reasons why you should go organic when it comes to skin products for you and your baby. Allergies, environmental preservation and cancer prevention are just a few that immediately come to mind.

Thanks to the founders of BABYBEARSHOP, there is now a luxuriously natural line of products that are made with organic and, whenever possible, Fair Trade ingredients.

The Mama Belly Oil and the Cheeky Baby Butter are two incredibly scrumptious BABYBEARSHOP products you should try.

The mama belly oil has a perfect combination of chamomile, lavender and red mandarin oils to help protect your blossoming belly from being marred by stretchmarks. It's also great as a massage oil for babies who are older than 3 months. Super sensual and super sweet.

The cheeky baby butter is essentially a shea butter baby creme. It's excellent for baby massage and can also be used for eczema, baby acne, diaper rash. You can also use it on your own bod - it's a great hand and foot moisturizer. All you have to do is scoop out a teensy bit (a little goes a very long way) rub in clean hands until it melts like butter and then apply. Better yet, get your hubby to do it for you! After all, you deserve a little TLC.

Check out the rest of BABYBEARSHOP's organic skin care line at www.babybearshop.com. And make sure to try their lip balm - it truly is delectable!

Preggers and Proud Gives Us Another Great Shirt For our Collection

My husband always says that you can never have too many t-shirts. I think that he may be onto something here. They really can be an expression of you and they often say something about where you are in your life. Maybe that's a little too profound for our discussion of t-shirts. That said, I truly believe that a t-shirt is more than just a garment. If you share my incredible respect for "the tee," then you'll be happy to know that Preggers and Proud has some pretty cool pieces to add to your collection. The coolest thing is that Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow have been seen sporting the "HOT MAMA" tee.

There is even a baby and dad line, which are super cute. Our good friend, Julia Roberts, had her kids wearing the "Mama's Got My Back" shirts...too sweet!

And Preggers and Proud also has a charitable edge - For every shirt that is gifted to a celebrity, a home for pregnant teens in Santa Barbara get five! That's cool.