Chanukah Gift Guide: Mom

1. Cashmere Fingerless gloves - keeps hands toastie and fingers free to text the sitter. $45.00

2. Tieks Foldable Flats - morph from working-mom to work-it-wife! from $135.00

3. Bright Morning Tea Cup Set - add some charm to AM coffee with the girls. $128.00

4. Croc Embossed Re-fillable Notebook - lend some gilded glam to grocery lists. $88.00

5. Color Study Vintage Locket - a vibrant, chic upgrade to the "brag book". $25.00

6. Marc Jacobs Ceramic Watch - keep track of jr.'s soccer practice in mod ebony. $400.00

Open It!!

I don't know if I'm the last one to see this, but I'm blown away by this simple and functional swiss-pocket-knife-style gift opener!! Provides solutions (blades) for even the most gnarly of packaging, and even has a screwdriver feature for all those "batteries not included" fine printed Chanukah gifts!

Now you can open it without cursing it! Definitely something I'd put on a list of household staples - right up there with scissors in the kitchen...

Zibra OpenIt, $11.99

Arts Through the Lens of: Andrew Zuckerman

The hot-topic right now is Andrew Zuckerman and his newly published project, Music. I don't know anyone who is not a fan of his work - his lens produces epic captures! And I'm especially fond of his publication for kids, Creature ABC. Come to think of it, his Creature Floor Puzzles ($24.95) are probably one of the most timeless ways to gift a Wii-era child... lend them an appreciation for beauty and affection for creatures of the earth. With Chanukah around the corner and kids receiving way too many high-tech toys,  this may inspire you to take it down a notch - spend some time puzzled over on the floor again! These images are quite incredible, check this:

I can't wait to check out Music:

"The Music project features dynamic portraits of over fifty musicians of all ages, from across genres, who provide their perspectives on one of the most universal and yet unexplainable art forms. Music is available as a book, which includes portraits and interviews as well as access to a feature-length film; it is also available as an iPad app, with text and portraits from the book as well as individual films for each contributor exclusive to the app."

Here's a sneak peek:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o1hP_Mlc_A]

Color-blocked Couture

Love, love, love!! Julianne Moore spotted in Lanvin at the London Film Festival. Just can't believe she went with the bare-arm vs. that amazing draped sleeve! Plus, her hair should have been up. But she picked the dress; that's what counts! :)

I'm on a color-block streak right now, and this dress nailed it!! Love the two-faced aspect, as well. Beautiful and fun.

Future fashion inspiration right there, ladies!

FreidaFroo Special Offer: WorldMark Resorts!

For those of you local lucky folk who get to vacation during those 8 crazy nights (Chanukah) as opposed to the popular "winter break", I have a fabulous family-vacation opportunity for you. We (our extended family) have spent many holidays vacationing in the WorldMark Indio Resorts, and we enjoyed heaps of family-style fun! These resorts are specifically incredible when vacationing with small children or large groups due to the diversity of activities and personal-suite amenities. Vacationing with a family is meant to be easy-going and relaxing - not over-the-top and stressful. I find that while going away to the most chic and up-scale hotels/resorts may be indulgent and luxurious - it is definitely not what I would look forward to when vacationing with tots-in-toe. The Indio resorts feature: 2 huge (gradual-depth) pools, a splash-pad, a lazy river (the kids love the tubing!), playgrounds, a full equipped gym (sweat out the stress!), a basketball court, a game room (pool tables, air hockey, ping-pong) plus an arcade area, a library, media room, and in-house spa treatments (a girl can do some time!).

All suites are equipped with central air/heat, full kitchen/living room/dining room, flat-screens, private outdoor space and BBQ, a washer and dryer (plus detergent!), and (towel-laden) bathrooms. There are 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites available - some with outdoor hot-tubs on deck! You can check out more about the resort here. At about a 2 hour drive from LA, this is really a fantastic place to vacation with the kiddies! I have a shareholder who is offering all you local FreidaFroo readers incredible rates (for off-peak times):

Monday - Thursday: 1 Bedroom (sleeps 4)  $85/night,  2 Bedroom  2 bath (sleeps 6) $120/night, 3 bedroom 3 bath (sleeps 8)   $150/night.

Friday - Saturday: 1 Bedroom $130/night, 2 Bedroom $165/night, 3 Bedroom $ 200/night.

You can book up to 60 days in advance (if you need to you can cancel without a fee up to a week in advance). These rates include all fees and taxes!

Feel free to e-mail me (freidafroo@gmail.com) for more information, or when you are ready to book your much-needed, much-deserved family-getaway!