DIY BIRTHDAY BASH!

selma 6

Have you noticed that kid's birthday parties are more like weddings these days?  Unlimited budgets with over-the-top decor, live bands, designer cakes and 200 of your closest friends.  And half the time the thousands put in doesn't guarantee a memorable turnout.  What we've come to realize here at HML is that DIY = YES!  Case and point: our dear friend and style Guru, Sam Shapiro from Chicago.  She and her hubs hosted their daughter's 1st bday party at their home with family and friends.  Let us tell ya, the decor was so well executed it would make Martha Stewart swoon...the food so tasty, Anthony Bourdain would beg for an invite...and the entertainment so creative well, even Elmo couldn't compete.  Price tag: $500  First (as we always recommend) Sam picked a theme and the rest followed.  And a few things we learned...don't be afraid to borrow and vintage is where it's at. So, here's to one baby's first bash that'll go down in history: Dia De Los Selma!  Take notes...

THEME: DIA DE LOS SELMA

CAKE AND COOKIES: Cake $30 JEWEL OSCO (came with 1st birthday at FREE smash cake) **Ask your bakery to honor this request. Cookies - $5 each

DECOR: $200 PARTY CITY, TARGET, EBAY- ballons, flower streamers, decorative masks, skull bins for craft table

ENTERTAINMENT: $20 MICHAEL'S - craft table: make skull masks to color by hand, crayons, stickers to take home

FOOD: pulled pork mini sandwiched made in slow cooker (Mariano's meat dept)

BORROWED: 1 dozen Mexican blankets from local restaurant and quesadilla maker from a friend

BONUS: Flower Crowns $30 for 6 (vintage store Hollywood Mirror)

MUSIC: Pandora, Gypsy King's radio

IN SAM'S WORDS: **Highlight was having friends and family together in one setting and their little ones: traditional "kid pic"

**I could have lived without the customary kid pic.- kids were crying and it was complete pandemonium. future mental note: feed them cake/sugar first!

Roll Me Up

We love nothing more than a super simple, healthy, hearty, kid-friendly snack offering a new twist on an old classic.  Introducing, the Pizza Roll Up.  Add any toppings including spinach, mushrooms, peppers...totally vegetarian!  The kids'll love it and you will too x

Makes: 1 serving, Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS: 1 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortilla

2 tablespoons prepared pizza sauce 12 leaves baby spinach 3 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella

PREPARATION: Place tortilla on a plate and spread pizza sauce over it. Top with an even layer of spinach and sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave on High or fry with spray olive oil in the pan until the cheese is melted (without turning) Carefully roll the tortilla up. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing into pieces.

TIPS & NOTES: Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the pizza roll-up for up to 1 day.

NUTRITION: Per serving: 217 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 14 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrates; 1 g added sugars; 10 g protein; 3 g fiber; 427 mg sodium; 18 mg potassium.

What's In Season??

Mommies, here's a great little chart to keep you in-the-know about what produce is Haute and in-season this month, October.  Happy Cooking

4th Annual Red Carpet Safety Event

Mommies - listen up, The 4th ANNUAL RED CARPET SAFETY EVENT is back and better than ever!  It's happening this Saturday 9/19, 1pm at the Skirball Center in LA.  We attended last year and walked away with serious bags of baby swag.  Feast your eyes on the best in strollers, carseats, bottles, bassinets...plenty of entertainment (we promise a celeb sighting or...ten :) and yep, even some bubbly, this is one family-friendly event we'd recommend to every haute mom.  Icing on the cake-The event aims to help spread awareness about Car Seat Safety and other areas of safety that affect us and our little nuggets.  $15 for the whole family - get your tix now! http://favoredby.com/red-carpet-safety-event-2015/

Living High At The Loews

Let's just put it out there...we're total hotel snobs; Not in a bitchy way but in a "we're spending good, hard-earned $$$ so let's see your A-game" kinda way   If it's not impeccably clean, remarkably staffed, perfectly appointed or sensationally situated, we're OFF, faster than a prom dress.  As you know, finding all that in a kid-friendly environment can be a challenge.  Good thing our getaway to the Loews at Coronado Bay √ all the boxes.  Swanky, not exactly, but there's literally something for the whole family...grandparents, parents, kiddies and even pets.  So, if you're looking for a last minute chance at summer, the rates are still HOT ($200 for a standard room - ask about their special AAA, Senior Discounts etc.) and the vibe, super COOL.  HML's recommendations below: http://www.loewshotels.com/coronado-bay-resort/ GOTTA TRY

OMG BEDS! - Dreams are that much sweeter when you feel like you're sleeping in the clouds.  Loews nails it w their Stearns & Foster Luxury Plush Euro Pillowtop Mattresses.  Don't trust me, look here :)

IN-ROOM COFFEE MAKER -Keurig coffeemaker with gourmet coffee.  HML considers this a necessity, not a luxury.  Thank Gawd they got it right!

DAILY BUFFET - On site at Market Cafe.  Full menu but the real steal here is the breakfast buffet complete with lox and bagels, omelet bar, pastries, fresh-squeezed juice, coffee and so much more  $25 per person and babies eat free!

JET SKIS: Easily one of the highlights of the trip.  Fast, fun, dare I say, kid-free??  Loews has tons of water-sport rentals...Jet Skiis, standup-paddleboards, boats, kayaks, you name it.  Definitely a stand-out for the property!

HERB GARDEN - There's something so satisfying to see a fully-bloomed herb garden right outside your guest room.  The flavorful food proves those fresh-grown greens are put to serious use.

KIDS CAMP - So you Haute Mommies can have a little time off.  Living Coast Discovery Center has partnered with Loews Coronado Bay Resort with the new Loews Go Wild! Kids Camp. Kids ages 5-12 can discover San Diego through nature hunts, arts and crafts, beach exploration and games, animal interactions and more as amazing native wildlife comes to life.**Available for a full-day 9am-5pm ($85 including lunch) or half-day 9am-noon or 1-5pm ($50 or $60 including lunch.) Call 619-424-4000 for reservations and further information.

CHOCOLATE TACOS - The relatively guilt-free finish to everyday.

WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT

THE KIDDY POOL - Call us cray cray but that many kids in one wet place, ummm no thanks.  We think we'll sit this one out.  Truth be told, Gibson still ♥ it.