Babies, Bellies and Brunch - May 5, 2007, Discounted Rate!!!

Join us at Babies, Bellies and Brunch sponsored by the fabulous folks at Saphia Water on May 5, 2007 from 10am - 4pm for fun, food, and goodies galore. It is an event not to be missed!

Details below:

We're Expecting!!

You that is at Babies, Bellies & Brunch on May 5 at the Columbia Hilton for a day of shopping, workshops, and activities that celebrate motherhood!

Event: Babies, Bellies & Brunch: The Area's Only Baby Shower Shopping Party
When: Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Columbia Hilton Hotel, 5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD
Contact: 301-879-9200 for more information
Entry: $20 for Early Bird online registrations / $25 at the door
Visit Our Site: www.babiesbelliesbrunch.com

Mothers Work Lunch - May 24, 2007 at Anna Maria's in Dupont

Save the Date!!!! RESCHEDULED!!! RESCHEDULED!!!

Join us for a fabulous Italian lunch and an opportunity to network and meet other mommies doing fabulous things, like raising babies and working it all the while.

We are hosting our first Mothers Work Lunch at Anna Maria's Italian Resturaunt in Dupont Circle on May 24, 2007 at 12:00pm.


For more details, contact teia@capitolmoms.org or call 571-723-3304. Look for more details.

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.

Pink Bowtique - Glamour for Little Girls

As some might know, my Z has a puff. An adorable near-afro puff of springy black curls and I love to doll her up with ribbons and bows, but I have to admit, some bows have met a tragic fate at the hands of my lovely one-year old. She can cause some serious fabric fraying and can make something about bows just not sit right on the little clippy.

Well we just received some bows from Pink Bowtique and they have survived my Zettle-Z. When the package came in the mail, my hubby opened them up and said, "Oh, these are cute." and that's alot coming from the man that believes pink is a semi-nauseating color. And they are cute, well-made, the ends are heat sealed, so no fraying, and don't fall off the band.

These, headband bows, are on my list of gifts for mommies of little girls.

OPEN HOUSE: "Caterpillar Co-Op" Spanish Immersion Pre-school

OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, March 7 5:00-7:00
"Caterpillar Co-op"Spanish Immersion Pre-School
3920 Alton Place, NW
Washington, DC 20016
In Tenleytown
Spaces Available for 2007-2008
3 year-old class: MWF (9:00-12:00)
4 year-old class: 5 days (9:00-12:30)
Programa de Inmersion en Espanol
Lugares Disponibles para 2007-2008
Clase de 3 anos: lunes, miercoles, viernes (9:00-12:00)
Clase de 4 anos: 5 dias (9:00-12:30)
For Information/Para Informacion:caterpillarcoop@yahoo.com

Thanks to Niccole de Campos for the event.

Positivity Rocks!

We at Capitol Moms appreciate all the postive support that we have received over the last year, but as a result of some inappropriate comments provided on the site, we will now be moderating the comments placed on this site.

I apologize for any inconvience this causes.

All the best,
Teia Collier
Capitol Moms

Cesar Chavez Schools Upcoming Open Houses

The Cesar Chavez Schools for Public Policy are having their fall recruiting open houses on the following dates.

Capitol Hill Campus, 709 12th St. SE, accepting applications for incoming 9th graders, Feb28 at 5:30pm.
Parkside Campus, 3701 Hayes St. NE, accepting applications for incoming 6th and 7th graders, Feb 27 at 5:30pm.
Chavez Prep, Open House at the Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St. NW, at the intersection of Lamont and 16accepting applications for incoming 6th graders, Feb26 at 5:30pm.

Does Northern Virginia need an International School?

If you are curious and want more information, join a group of bilingual, multicultural parents in Northern Virginia is trying to gauge interest in opening an international school similar in style to the Coeus School.

For more information, see below.

Please join us! Parents, equity investors and
other interested parties are welcome to attend.

Where: Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Avenue East, Vienna , VA 22180
When: Saturday, February 24, 2007
Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Please RSVP to Mary Kay Alegre at mkalegre@verizon. net. Please provide your name and describe your interest in the project. If you have school aged children, please provide their current grades. If you can not make the session, but would like to express your interest, please email us with the same information. We will include you on any future email correspondence.

Thanks to Angela Maria Velasquez for the information about the upcoming event!

Stroller Strides - Try a class

The other afternoon on Yummy Mummy, they featured a stroller class and now that Z is out of the sling and carrier and a full-time stroller baby, I thought that this would be something cool to look into.

So I got in the google mode and found Stroller Strides, and by the look of things, lots of other area Mommies have gotten the word about stroller fitness, there are 12 different locations just in the DC area -- everywhere from Arlington to Union Station to Gaithersburg. Also, also on their really user-friendly site, is a really neat deal. Try a free class, usually single classes run $15, but they are offering this program to get the word out and let women try it out.

My Z and I just signed up and we will try one of the upcoming Saturday classes, probably at the Union Station location. We'll write an update and let y'all know how it all comes out.

Stork Magazine and Runway Moms

While I was pregnant with my Z, I loved catching Runway Moms on Discovery Health. Runway Moms is a 30-minute show telling the story of Expecting Models, an agency specializing in pregnant and nursing models, by profiling a model mom-to-be through her pregnancy and into the early days of life at home. It was such fun and a great way to learn tips and tidbits while being wonderfully entertained.

Now, Runway Moms is just starting season 2 and it's full of great new stories. But Liza at Expecting Models has a great new baby as well, Stork Magazine, a fun e-zine that supplements Runway Moms, with great info and fabulous mom-prenuer profiles (see section Moms We Love).

Mommy and Me at the Movies - Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse

DC Baby has just posted something fabulous for Mommies in the area. Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse on Columbia Pike has started a new Mommy and Me series starting March 6. Tickets run about $5.50 for movies about a month off of other theatres.

Also on Monday, 2/12, they are showing a special feature of Charlotte's Web at 4:30pm for $1 admission.

Diaper Baggies: Controling the Funk One Diaper at a time

Through our search for fabulous mom-prenuers, Capitol Moms came to meet one fabulous Tasha Collier of Diaper Baggies. She has come up with this oh-so-needed funk controlling idea, a stinky diaper bag with a zip top and opague color that really controls the terrific odor that little ones can cook up while disguising the contents.

And after about a week of using them, I can say that they really work! They can control the funk that my Huggies size 4 Z can cook up (who knew that little turds could stink so much) and look cute while doing it.

Try them out, you can order a free sample of Diaper Baggies at www.diaperbaggies.com and full-size packs of 40 at HappiBaby.com.

momAgenda: Planners for the Busy Mommy

Today something fabulous came in the mail, a beautiful, fushia pink day planner. When I opened the package, I squealed with delight. My hubby looked at it and just grinned.

It is cute, feminine and practical. It's covered in this really delicious stain resistant fabric in colors that you just don't find everywhere. It is a momAgenda, a planner designed just for the busy mommies of the world, just like us.

There are places to jot notes to yourself, planning playdates, supper, and all the other little things that pop up in your universe. There are addresses to fun websites, the numbers to the major airlines (something that I am always looking for at the most in-opportune times), and a re-fillable section called MomEssentials where you can put phone numbers, addresses and important dates, like your best friend's new baby's birthday.

It's just pretty enough that I will want to use it everyday. For more products, to see who else loves their momAgenda like Felicity Huffman and Real Simple Magazine and to get exclusive deals and promotions, check out their site at www.momagenda.com

Livie and Luca: Stepping in Style

Recently Capitol Moms was contacted by a fellow local mom-prenuer. She is Amie Garcia of Livie and Luca, a shoe company specializing in European style footwear for kiddies. They are housed here in Arlington and Z and I went to the site to see what the buzz is all about...what we found was simply adorable. "Adorable shoes for adorable feet" really fits. Great colors, simple, fun styling and a user-friendly site.

The sweet pair pictured to the right are Emma's red tassles, seemed to catch my Z's curious eye. There are about twelve different styles, everything from a fabulous little Brown Elephant to a cute Viva Futbol in tan or red, and they come in sizes 3.5 to 10. So you are sure to find pair to fit your little one.

There are several ways to order: online at www.livieandluca.com, by phone, 1-800 LIV.LUCA or by hosting a shoe party. Check the site for more details.

Little treats from Shoebox Ovens

The other day through Daily Candy, we discovered a wonderful little bakery, Shoebox Ovens, "a very merry little bakery" here in Arlington. The bakery is run by the fabulous Krishna and they specialize in unique, baked-to-order goodies that you just will not anywhere else.

I ordered the Canales. They remind me of little, bite-sized creme brulees that you don't need a spoon for. The burnt sugar crust and creamy middle... yum!!! And my food lovin' hubby agreed. Seriously addictive.

Check out her site, www.shoeboxovens.com It's beautiful, the only way to order, the pictures are lovely and accurate. The goodies look just as good when they arrive to you as they do in the picture.

Looking for other fabulous mom-prenuers to feature

In the upcoming weeks, Capitol Moms will be launching our new site and we are looking forward to some new fun features and events in the near future.

Right now, we are looking for other mom-prenuers and ladies doing fabulous things to feature and get the word out.

I, personally, believe that women need other women and resources to help make the road a little more pleasurable and the work a little more fun. But in the same vein, I believe that resources, like really good friends, are sometimes hard to find, so share the love and let us know of the good things, services and people that help make your life little easier.

Email me at teia@capitolmoms.org

Cosmo Tots closing 12/30/2006

Sorry to report that Cosmo Tots in Clarendon is closing its doors. As a result, Juliette and staff are offering fabulous products at 50% off. Everything is on sale from the goodies to the wardrobes.

The store's last days are rapidly approaching, stop in while you can.