Child-Free Flights??? What do you think?! This topic is sparking a ton of interest around the globe. We want to hear from you...Would you pay more for a flight sans kids?? Put it this way, we've paid more for less...
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/mom-sparks-debate-after-suggesting-airlines-offer-child-free-flights-2015138
It took 10 kids, 3 women and a whole lot of post-it notes to figure out a MUCH better way for moms to, well, be Moms. Take Yelp, Facebook and Angie's List, mix em up and VOILA! You've got Momstamp. www.MomStamp.com We connected with Paulette Light (btw, total Rockstar name, girl!) Co-founder and CEO of Momstamp and mom-of-4 to get the scoop on this incredible new community she's created for the So-Cal Area...and in more cities to come...
HML: Congrats Paulette on the "birth" of Momstamp! How exciting! You describe it as a hybrid between Angie's List, Yelp and Facebook...can you explain a bit more about how to actually use Momstamp and who it's for?
PL: Thank you! Momstamp is designed for parents to find service provider recommendations for their home and family, from people they trust, rather than from strangers. Momstamp is quick and easy. When you go on Momstamp you can easily find recommendations and filter by your friends and extended friend network. If you can’t find what you’re looking for you can ask your broad network for more recommendations. We also allow people to message recommenders if they have more specific questions. It’s our belief that two recommendations from a friend or friend-of-a friend are invaluable. We also offer a project management component—we call it collections- where you can see who people have used to plan projects such as parties, a new baby or renovation and ask for everything you need for yours. Momstamp is for moms (and dads too) who want to get things done quickly.
HML: On the site you can find information on everything from the best nannies to doctors, tutors to yep, even hair stylists in your neighborhood...what's your vetting process?
PL: Momstamp is a platform for recommendations- which means our community does the vetting. People can search for anything from tutors to piano teachers to handymen and they can see who their friends, friends and friends and community recommend. We understand that one person’s gem may not be another person's, so we let people message the recommender and get more information if they want. A provider is only on our site if they are recommended by someone.
HML: What was your Aha moment in realizing there was a need for a site like this?
PL: I have two co-founders—Staci Miller and Julie Hermelin (seen above- Paulette on right) Between us, we have 10 kids between the ages of 5 and 17. As our kids started to get older, we noticed that we were managing their lives in a pretty inefficient way. We were sharing recommendations via post-it-note and emails we could never find. More importantly, as our kids got older and their needs became more specific, we often did not have direct friends who ‘had the answers’. We did however, have friends-of-friends who could be helpful. For example, my partner Staci has a child with food allergies and I have a daughter with reading issues. You look for the people who have “been there done that”. We realized that the explosion in technology and social networks offered an opportunity for parents to more easily reach out to each other to share valuable recommendations. Solving this problem is challenging, but it offers a tremendous opportunity.
HML: You're super techie which makes this site a homerun! Can you tell us about your history and schooling?
PL: I love that you just called me super techie, I will make sure to share that with my kids! You hit it on the head in that our point is to create a tech solution to the things we do every day which is ask our friends for the names of the best providers. Our site is searchable, archivable, and shareable. It frees people from relying on emails and other social platforms which make finding and referencing past recommendations very cumbersome. I have a traditional business background and have an MBA from Wharton Business School. I was a management consultant and ran my own nanny agency before starting Momstamp.
HML: Yowzas, Paulette- you've really done it all. Ok, so here's the real question- ready to share all your secrets?? As a Haute Mom to 4, count em, FOUR beautiful children, how did you ever find time to take Momstamp from an idea to the real thing?
PL: As you know, when you are passionate about something you find the time. I am looking at it as an investment that will pay off in found time—and it already has… I have planned parties, renovations, found a new hairstylist and handyman just from searching on momstamp! Found time is an amazing thing!
HML: What do you hope Momstamp will provide our community of mommies?
PL: The key is community. As moms, we are all in this together to get things done. At one stage in life you may need a whole bunch of recommendations and at another stage you find yourself in a position where you are the one who can recommend great providers. Momstamp harnesses the collective wisdom of your friends. We have seen the power when groups of friends come on together. Being able to access friend of friend recommendations has been incredible. Seeing how the momstamp community comes together to support their friends and friends of friends has been inspiring.
***Note from Paulette: Please come check us out on momstamp.com and bring your friends… we are also expanding to other cities in the fall, so if you know of anyone who might want to share recommendations or work with us in Atlanta, San Diego, Detroit, San Francisco or Chicago- get in touch with me at paulette@momstamp.com
I'm sure you're saying to yourself, "Who the hell has time to pick up a book?!" Answer is: YOU! When the babe's napping, at the park, before bed, on vacay, during a load of laundry...whenever! Ok, now that you've made the time, we've got you covered (cover to cover) with the most scintillating summer reading material EVER, handpicked by HML and brought straight to you! Three prerequisites a book must meet to top our list: 1. SEX 2. DRUGS 3. ROCK & ROLL Because for real ladies, what's a good story without it?! Here's a list of our faves, notice a theme?? :) ENJOY!
I'M WITH THE BAND - Pamela Des Barre Unquestionably our favorite book of all time and the story that inspired an all time favorite movie, Almost Famous, with our all time fave gal, K-Hud
THE LONG HARD ROAD OUT OF HELL - Marilyn Manson You don't have to be a fan of his music to be totally fascinated by this iconic performer's twisted life. It's SOOOOOO GOOD!
YOU LOOK WONDERFUL TONIGHT: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me - Pattie Boyd The title sums up this beautifully messy little love triangle
STEVIE NICKS: Visions, Dreams & Rumors - by Zoi Howe It's a bit drawn-out at times documenting the band's every move, tour, nail-break, but when it's good, oooohhhh it's sooooo good. Highlights- Stevie's tumultuous love affairs and stories of her iconic Gypsy Queen style.
MY CROSS TO BEAR - Gregg Allman - Sex, Drugs, Rock&Roll at it's peak - need we say more!?
ORDEAL: The Truth Behind Deepthroat - Linda Lovelace: Classic tale of a good girl gone bad with twists and turns that'll leave your stomach in knots
HIGH ON ARRIVAL - Mackenzie Phillips There is no Hollywood story as down right F%*$ed up as this one Worth the read, but have a box of tissues nearby.
6 Things We Can't Live Without...Enjoy! ♥
Lise Watier Water Proof Pencil Liner - From 1st Bdays to graduations, finally a totally smudge-proof eyeliner for all the teary occasions in our lives - $17 http://www.lisewatier.com/ca_en/makeup/eyes/eyeliners/crayon-kajal-noir
Cast Iron Skillet - For the most-flavorful family meals guaranteed -$33 www.crateandbarrel.com
New Faces Skincare - For every Haute Goddess craving a serious skincare boost, this line is so exclusive you can only get it by calling- not available for online purchase # 1-800-4StarMd http://www.starplasticsurgery.net
Playful Shades - Color, Shapes, Sizes...Loud = Haute! Fun frames jazz up any ol outfit like that! Deals to designers - We found these for $5 at the Salsa Festival.
Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker - The best $35 you'll ever spend. For a little one's entire first year +++ of life. And a major life-savor for moms who need a second to breath #GawdBless www.buybuybaby.com
Little Hearts - Every penny worth it when you snap a pic of your cutie looking adorbs this in one of these limited-print leotards!!! http://littleheartsco.bigcartel.com $29
Let's face it Haute Mommies, Birthday Parties for kiddies under the age of 3 are totally for us. Think back, do you really remember anything from your childhood before 3, 4, or 5...maybe flashing images here or there, but that's really the extent. So how do you plan something that'll engage our little ones and keep parents from running for the door? Great entertainment for starters, oh yea, and a little lotta booze too. Taking all that into account, we were, well, sorta modest in planning Gibson's 1st birthday. 100 of our nearest and dearest (I know I know) a backyard party with endless food, booze, babes and a band...but we managed to nail it on a budget. It was a HIT! Here's how it went down...take notes ;)
PICK A THEME - 2 words: Party City. http://www.partycity.com It's a one-stop-shop. We opted for the whole planes, trains, automobile shtick and found everything in literally one spot...plates, napkins, utensils, cups, streamers, banners, bib, you name it...and it was totally affordable.
BRING ON THE BAND - If you're in the So Cal area, you MUST check out The BeatBuds http://www.thebeatbuds.com The kids are in love with the musical-duo and the songs are so catchy you'll find yourself humming along. Bonus: They'll mail a CD before your party to get you acquainted with the songs. This is what MADE the party. Without the band, snoooooozefest.
MORE PIZZA PLEASE - We catered pizza and salad from Ameci Pizza http://www.amecipizzaandpasta.com Note: Have the kid pies double-sliced for thinner pieces. Saves $$ and food from being wasted. We also catered one big sub from Italia Deli for adults who can't look at another piece of pizza. http://italiadeli.com
CAN'T FORGET THE BOOZE - Wine and Beer is the easiest option. Can we say Costco? Your best friend in times like these. Next time I'm not wimping out and going for a whole Bloody Mary Bar instead because why the hell not?!
BLOW OUT THE CANDLES - Staying consistent with our theme, we got a fabulous cake for the party people, and a personal cake for Gibson to ravage through - both from Ralph's
*** I must say, we had an awesome and relatively easy time planning Gib's bday. We executed it on a budget and it was flawless. Maybe Gibson won't remember his 1st birthday but thank Gawd we've got the pix to prove it.
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Haute Mom's Life. Created by Adrianna Costa
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