Girls' Night Out: Lunafest to benefit local outreach of Postpartum Support International

Worthy cause alert! Mommy's Night Out Alert!

Hey, two alerts all wrapped in the nice, neat package that is the 6th Annual Lunafest Film Festival at the Arlington Cinema Draft House on April 11, 2006. Tickets are $10. Here is the post from DC Baby.

The Sixth Annual Lunafest Film Festival DC (featuring films made by...for...about women), set for Wednesday, April 11 at the Arlington Cinema & Draft House, will raise funds for a very special cause that helps local pregnant women & new moms... and is dear to my own heart.

This year, net proceeds of Lunafest go to Postpartum Support International (PSI) - a worldwide network of volunteers, advocates, and professionals who care about the emotional health of expectant and new moms.

I volunteer locally with PSI as the DC-Area Coordinator, along with local mama Adrienne Griffen, who is the Virginia Coordinator. Together, Adrienne and I lead the free DC Peer Support Group, which meets two evenings each month NW DC, geared toward women experiencing depression, anxiety, or stress before or after having a baby. (Adrienne also leads a daytime Peer Support Group that meets twice a month in Arlington, and there are additional groups in Loudon County and Fairfax, VA.)

The need is almost overwhelming in the DC area for information, emotional support, and simple empathy and kindness. There are many women reaching out for help each day, and sadly, many more who can't or don't. Those of us doing PSI's work in the Washington area are volunteering our time. We don't get paid, and we don't get a stipend to produce materials. But fundraisers like Lunafest can offset costs associated with designing and copying brochures that can be distributed to women at doctor's offices, special events, and moms' clubs, letting them know that they are not alone and help IS available.

I hope some of my readers will turn out for this fun "girls' night out" at Lunafest, to watch some cool independent films and contribute to a worthy cause. Tix are $10 at the door. The evening will start at 6 p.m. with live jazz music and wine tasting, and the movies start at 7:30.

Many thanks to local mama and Stroller Strides instructor Jennifer Lungren for putting this film festival together - and for taking the initiative to contribute to PSI's community service. For more info about Lunafest, contact Jennifer at jlungren (at) strollerstrides (dot) net. For more about Lunafest, click here.

For more info about the DC Peer Support Group, email me at: sarah (at) dc-baby (dot) com. For more info about the NoVa Peer Support Groups, email Adrienne at: griffens (at) comcast (dot) net.

Saphia Waters: Helping Mommies get more water

In flavors like Lovingly Lemon, Bliss Berry and Pacifyingly Peach, Saphia Waters offer pregnant and nursing mothers another alternative to everyday water. They are fortified with nutrients that a mother's body needs to work like the fabulous baby-making machine that she is. Think of it as a supplement to your prenatal vitamins, not a replacement. It is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association and received some neat press from the Today Show and the Hot Moms Club.

At first, I was a bit skeptical, but they don't taste bad. I had a couple of friends come by to try too and they dug them too. Not bad for a days work. :-)

Saphia Waters are available online at www.saphiawater.com and in store at local Babies R Us and Motherhood Maternity stores.

Couture Invito - Bringing a little life to everyday paper

Ok, I love pictures and stationary, particularly shades of pink, coral and sunny yellows. I think that it is so nice to something beautiful come in the mail that tends to be so blah.

Just recently, we were introduced to Alesa and the fabulous folks at Couture Invito. They specialize in fabulous paper products and unique photo gifts that are lovely and beautifully done. Upon Alesa's recommendation, I ordered the photopads, like the ones to the right. And I have to say that they look even more awesome in person. I used a pic of my family on the boardwalk in Anapolis. It turned out really nice and I use my pad at work. Suprisingly, people notice the papers that you write on and I started getting so many compliments on the note pad.

I think that it will be a wonderful Mother's Day present or a sweet gift to present to a new mommy. And as a special for Mother's Day the photopads are on sale, how cool is that.

Check them out at www.coutureinvito.com or click on the photo to the right.

Congratulations to Chic Tots!!

Congratulations to DC Area Mommies Michele Good and Jennifer Chow of Chic Tots . These fabulous ladies have just received iParenting Media's Best Product Award for their Chic and Clean Coverall.

To celebrate this success, they are overall a special deal to readers, 20% off and free shipping on all products. Just use the code "CHIC". Shop at www.chictots.com

Pictured to the left is Chandra Wilson of Grey's Anatomy with Michele and Jennifer, carrying the Chic and Cozy Blanket/ Bag.