About the author ⁄ Christina Montoya Fiedler

Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles native - born and raised. Before becoming a mom, and writing for various parenting sites so she could be home full time with her son, she was a publicist representing environmentally progressive architects and contractors - one of whom just finished building a home completely out of parts from a Boeing 747. Now that's cool!

Introducing the functional, fashionable Beco baby carrier {#Giveaway}

When my son was born, he hated being in the carrier and in turn, I hated wearing it. Grant it we had a cheap knock off from a bargain brand store, so that probably had something to do with it.

This time around, I am determined to have my infant enjoy and stay in a baby carrier. I’ve done a lot of research and my heart now belongs to Beco. I mean, just look at these – they are totally stylish, but are built for comfort. I’m talking real comfort for both parent and baby. The key is even weight distribution, so you never feel overloaded. And the carriers grow with your baby.

There are two versions of the Beco baby carrier – the Soleil and the Gemini – both of which offer a complete array of features to fit your needs.

The Gemini is a no nonsense carrier that grows with your baby and has front-facing in, front-facing out, in-hip carry or back- carry configurations. Yes, that’s a 4-1 carrier. Since it fits babies up to 35 pounds, there’s no need to get a new carrier as you transition from infant to toddler.

The Soleil takes it one step further with all the form and function of the Gemini with some added bells and whistles. It’s perfect for those moms who are looking to use their baby carriers every single day, not just on outings or walks. The roomy pocket on the waist belt and the added key and toy ring, rounds out the features. It is adaptable with a variety of add-ons with their accessory pack, which includes an infant insert, a large sleep hood and organic drooling pads.

All of them come in a variety of stylish colors and designs that are bright, cheerful and totally modern. It makes choosing a seemingly ordinary piece of baby equipment fun. Plus all fabrics are 100 percent organic cotton, and washable.

I can totally see my hubby using this carrier as well. He never felt quite comfortable using a sling or our old carrier with our first son. He felt the need to hold on to him, which totally defeated the purpose of being “hands free.” I can already tell that the added padding, and secure harness straps will add a whole other layer of security to the mix. He’s going to feel right at ease.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 10, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Baby, Featured Giveaway, Giveaways, Kids Tagged Baby Accessories, Baby Gear, Baby Sling, baby wearing, beco baby carrier, carrier, gemini, soleil Comments 83

Planting the Perfect Spring Garden

Spring is here! Finally. And that means it’s time to start planting your gardens. It’s a great family activity and a great excuse for the little ones to get their hands (and whole bodies) dirty. Here’s how to get started.

Strawberries in a big ol’ pot.

Get Your Plot On

Start with a good plot of tilled soil. For our garden, we bricked off a bit of land to keep it separate from the rest of the yard. You really don’t need much space to grow a good crop. You can also use large planters, like the one above, for things like tomatoes and other vine growing plants. If your soil is not good quality, you can buy planting soil at the hardware store that already has fertilizer in it – a good choice for lazy gardeners who might skip a few watering sessions here and there.

Grab Some Supplies

You’re gonna need a few supplies – gloves, sprayer, mulch (helps keep the moisture in the soil in between waterings), spade and a shovel, vegetable/fruit feed. While this might seem daunting, all of it is on sale – like right now – at your local hardware supply store.

Thai Basil in the forefront, Anaheim chilies in the background.

Choose Your Weapon

Now you can get down to the fun stuff. What are you going to plant? Since I live in sunny Los Angeles, we can grow quite a few different things that need full sunlight. We chose tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, belly peppers, Anaheim chilies, carrots, strawberries, Thai basil and cucumbers. I know, I know. That sounds like a lot! But really, it’s a great mix of veggies that will yield a tasty crop. A simple online search will help you figure out what grows best in your neighborhood.

Corn and sweet bell peppers.

Plant It

Follow the directions for each given plant. Make sure you space them correctly, so that you can anticipate for growth. You can use stakes and twine to section off rows, but I found it easier to just mound dirt so that each row of plants is a bit elevated. Some things grow well together like beans and bell peppers, tomatoes and basil, cucumbers and peas, and more. You’ll actually have a bigger yield by paring things together like this. Another quick search can help you come up with some great veggie combos for your garden.

Tomatoes – heirlooms and beefsteak.

Water, Watch, Wait

Keep things hydrated by watering every other day. Be sure to feed your plants with plant food. Keep watch for weeds and bugs. Wait, for the fruits (or veggies) of your labor to show. Enjoy!

Moms, what are you growing in your garden this Spring?

May 5, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Kids, That's Crafty! Tagged farming, fruit, gardening, kids gardening, organic, spring, vegetables Comments 0

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Flare

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and we’ve got some savvy, sassy ideas ready for you and your familia. Get ready to throw one heck of a fiesta with these simple crafts and recipes – it’s as easy as uno, dos, tres!

Margarita Cupcakes

Photo courtesy of Annies-Eats.com

Since I’m currently pregnant, and can’t have an actual margarita, these cupcakes will have to do. Tangy lime frosting with a not too sweet cake batter mix makes for the perfect bite. Candied lime zest tops it all off. If you’re looking for a bigger kick, go ahead and use tequila in the frosting, then tell me how it is so I can live vicariously though you.

Piñata Surprise Cookies

Photo courtesy of TrendHunters.com

A talented baker friend of mine actually made these cookies last Cinco de Mayo and managed to outshine all the other festive crafts at her neighborhood party. Colorful striped sugar cookies are pressed together with icing. Inside are some chocolate surprises – just like a real piñata with all the fun, minus the bat and the blindfold.

Arts and Crafts Mariachi Guitar

Photo Courtesy of PattiesClassRoom.Blogspot.com

These gussied up guitars are a fun and easy craft for preschoolers. Use regular household items – cardboard, paper bags, tape, glue, felt, string and construction paper to decorate. Start your own mini mariachi band. This is a great way to teach kids about Mexican inspired music.

Egg Maracas

Photo courtesy of DanaMadeIt.com Speaking of forming your own mini mariachi band, use some of those left over Easter plastic eggs for easy to make maracas. Fill them with beans, rice or beads then decorate. Use spoons for instant handles. Get shaking and making beautiful music together.

Grapefruit Margarita

Photo courtesy of SweetLifeBake.com

Give your margarita a fresh twist by using ruby red grapefruit juice (preferably fresh squeezed) instead of the traditional lime. Your friends and taste buds will thank you for this modern twist on a classic favorite. You can still line the rim with salt – it helps cut the tartness of the juice and is a welcomed compliment to the spicy tequila. Finish with a wedge of fresh fruit or a candied swirl of grapefruit rind.

Margarita Popsicles

Photo courtesy of TheSweetestOccassion.com Instead of serving up frozen margaritas in a glass – try them in popsicle form. All you need are disposable paper cups, popsicle sticks, juice or margarita frozen concentrate, tequila and a freezer. Make them virgin for a family friendly dessert.

Loteria

Play an authentic game of Loteria – the Latin American version of bingo. Not only is it super fun and easy to play, but you’ll be learning a lot of Spanish in the process. And just in case you didn’t know, Loteria is the Spanish word for lottery. See, you’re already learning!

Taco Cups

Photo courtesy of BevCooks.com

No Cinco de Mayo would be complete without some delicious food. This twist on the traditional taco is family and crowd friendly. Take advantage of your cupcake tins and make individual taco cups complete with spicy filling, cheese, beans, sour cream and pico de gallo. Use wonton wrappers for an extra crispy shell. We guarantee there won’t be any leftovers.

Mini Cone Piñatas

Photos courtesy of TodaysMama.com

Use these colorful piñatas to decorate your casa for the big day. Use ribbons, tissue paper, buttons and more for the perfect design. Two party hats put together end-to-end make the quintessential piñata shape. You can leave them plain or add a few surprises that you kids can get to after dinner.

Moms, what will you be doing to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year?

Apr 30, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Living Tagged arts, cinco de mayo, Crafts, Holidays, Pinterest, recipes Comments 1

Our Oh Baby! Style Suite at the Pregnancy Awareness Month Kick-Off Event!

Pregnancy Awareness Month 2013

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month and we are celebrating by being a sponsor of this years event as well as hosting our own Oh Baby! SOCIAL during the month of May. We can’t wait to bring you all the latest in baby buzz!

Here’s the low down. The Pregnancy Awareness Month kick off event is on Sunday, May 5th at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica from 12 pm to 4 pm, and it’s totally FREE and open to the public. All you have to do is RSVP through EventBrite.

Hear special keynote addresses by Dr. Author Kemp (author of The Happiest Baby on the Block) along with other experts, enter to win free raffle prizes and visit over 25 VIP vendors and sponsors including Joovy, Moby Wrap, Britax, RightStart, Plum Organics, Bio Oil, Ergo Baby, STOKKE, and more.

The first 200 attendees to present their EventBrite ticket at the event on May 5^th will receive a gift bag, which includes sponsor products, samples and much more.

Blogger Reception

Are you a blogger? RSVP for an exclusive reception with MomsLA, sponsored by Urban City and The Supper Society, for a peek behind the scenes and a preview of all in store. RSVP with [email protected] for more info.

And best of all, be sure to stop by the Savvy Sassy Mom’s sponsored Oh Baby! Style Suite, where we’ll have all the latest, greatest and of course always-fashionable baby gear on view for all you hip mamas. You won’t want to miss it!

Plus Project Nursery, the definitive authority and inspirational resource for baby’s first room and beyond, is teaming up with Right Start for a special nursery section and giving away 10 Nursery Consultations! You must register for the PAM kick off event to enter. Winners will be selected at random and notified by email with their time slot for a 15 minute nursery design consultation. Winners will be asked to bring in any pictures or inspiration and will walk away with a visual guide and resources to make it happen!

There’s a lot going on for sure at this Los Angeles based event and we want to make sure you have all the info you need to take part. Just be sure to register and you’ll be in and ready for a day of pregnancy awareness and fun.

Apr 21, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Kids Tagged Andrea Fellman, Baby, Baby Buggy, Baby Carriers, Baby Gear, Beco Baby, Bergmont Station, Ergo Baby, Events, LA MOMs, los angeles, Mom Events, Mom Style, MomsLA, Nursery Design, oh baby style suite, Oh Baby! SOCIAL, PAM, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Awareness Month, Project Nursery, Pump Station, Right Start, savvy sassy moms, Stokke, Style Comments 1

Savvy Travel Planning with Springpad

I don’t know about you, but my travel files are a mess. I have folders on my desktop filled with destination and hotel possibilities. I have bookmarks for every cool travel article I read. My Pinterest boards are filled with possible itineraries and travel wardrobe ideas. Simply put, I have a travel addiction. And now that my family is starting to plan for a summer getaway, I need help deciphering all the clutter.

Springpad is an organizational, planning and “remembering” app for your smart phone and tablet that syncs up with any home computer to keep your plans, to-do lists, and reminders all in one place.

Here’s what you can do on Springpad to make your travel plans sing:

- Create to-do and packing lists and sync with your calendars, and create alert reminders
- Collect ideas and Inspiration you find online of things to do, restaurants to visit, and places to stay
- Connect to Google Maps, Foursquare and Yelp! for directions and planning your route
- Track your travel budget and compare prices automatically of products you see and save on the web, and be notified of a price drop
- Collaborate with your friends, family or whoever you choose to pool your travel ideas and with anyone with which you want to share your itinerary

Springpad understands that not all moms read, research, or retain info the same way, so there are hundred of styling options for your boards. Choose from different backgrounds, large or small icons, colorful images, article snipets and more. It has the visual stability of Pinterest but with a lot more bells and whistles. The Spring button shortcut allows you to add anything you see on the web to your notebooks, so you never miss out on an opportunity to add.

Of course there are other uses – like collaborating with coworkers on future projects, planning birthday parties, starting a must read or must watch list, and more. But we just love the functionality of the program for travel planning, mostly because there’s really nothing else like it out there.

Moms, how do you keep your travel planning organized and functional?

Apr 15, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Tech Tagged apps, springpad, Tech, travel planning, websites Comments 0

Sassy Mom Must Read About Suburbia, Life and Motherhood

We love snuggling up with a good book as much as the next person, but when the pages are chocked full of juicy tidbits about suburbia, pregnancy, and snarky neighbors then you really have our attention. We’re loving the new paperback from mom author Tracy Beckerman, Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir: How I Got Pregnant, Lost Myself, and Got My Cool Back in the New Jersey Suburbs.

The set up is simple, but packs a big punch. When syndicated columnist Tracy Beckerman trades in her TV job and cool NYC existence for the New Jersey suburbs, she doesn’t expect to also trade in her entire identity. But her new life as a stay-at-home mom knocks her for a loop in more ways than one. From the embarrassment of being ticketed while driving in her bathrobe to the challenge of making friends in the land of big hair and minivans, Beckerman shares her struggles with self-deprecating humor as she endeavors to reclaim her cool.

Beckerman reveals the universal trials, tribulations, and triumphs of every mom who has to figure out how to stay sane while fishing Barbie heads out of the toilet; how to laugh when your kid asks the fat cop at the doughnut shop if he’s having a baby; and how to look good when your post-baby butt is so big you want to hang a “Caution: Wide Load” sign behind you.

Behind the laugh-out-loud moments in the book are major themes that all moms can relate to no matter what part of the country they might be from.

Apr 8, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Kids, Motherhood Tagged Books, lost in suburbia, Mom Stories, momoir, motherhood, reading, tracy beckerman Comments 0

WTF? Munchkin’s New Non-Toxic Soap for Naughty Mouths

Whining Wasabi

Lying Liver

Spoiled Child, Spoiled Milk

Vulgarity Vomit

Extra-Strength Sour Pout Face

Yuck! The old bar of soap in the mouth tactic seems to be making a comeback. Forget the Irish Spring or Dial of yesteryear. Try giving your kid a taste of one of the above new Naughty Mouth Soaps from Munchkin the next time he says something less than savory. The Company is now offering parents everywhere a non-toxic but foul-tasting deterrent to stop the future use of inappropriate language.

Munchkin’s Naughty Mouth Soap affords parents with a highly effective technique to undo verbal disrespect. Goodbye potty talk! It also breaks the habit of mimicking an older sibling’s profane language or showing parents unnecessary attitude. Nice. We like where this is going.

So moms, would you want to give this product a try? Visit the Munchkin Facebook Page for a chance to win a bar of your choice. And if I were you, I definitely go with the Whining Wasabi.

April Fools! We got you!

Apr 1, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Kids Tagged april fools, Baby, discipline, jokes, kids, Munchkin, Naughty Mouth Soap, non toxic soap, potty mouth, soap, toddlers Comments 3

On the Go with Petunia Pickle Bottom City Carryall {giveaway}

You might remember my trip to the Petunia Pickle Bottom store several weeks ago. I’ve long been on the hunt for a diaper bag that is both functional as it is beautiful. Not only that, I refuse to use a diaper bag that looks like a diaper bag. Been there, done that with the first baby. I’d much rather have something that resembles a stylish purse. I’ve found that in the Petunia Pickle Bottom City Carryall. It’s big enough to accommodate all my baby needs, plus my own. I kind of have a lot of stuff. But at least I’m always prepared. The newly released embossed fabrics provide the class and modernism that I was looking for all along.

I love the versatility of the handles. There is a large strap for an over the shoulder option, plus smaller handles for a hand held look.

But my favorite feature is the built in changing station. An outer pocket unzips and reveals a fold out diaper changing mat and two pockets. This is perfect for quick changes while out and about with baby.

Here’s what you get, all in one beautiful bag:

English lace design discreetly stitched onto a colored background with monochromatic Glazed accent. Water-resistant lining, onyx piping and handles.

Large interior space with two bottle pockets, one zippered pocket and two organizational pockets
Built-in changing station with detachable changing pad, two organizational pockets and a small pacifier pocket

Two outer bottle pockets and two pockets on back for extra storage

Padded tote handles and removable long strap for either messenger-style or shoulder-style carry
Premium metal logo plate

PPB monogrammed plastic wipes case

100% polyester shell fabric with embroidery

Compatible with Valet Stroller Clips®

There are as many colors as there are days in the month, so ahead and choose the one that fits you best. Whether it’s bright and cheery, or sleek and modern the City Carryall is a great first diaper bag.

The City Carryall retails for $159, and is available online and in stores.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Giveaway!

One Savvy Sassy Moms reader will win one of these City Carry All Diaper bags! You will have a choice between:

1) Gardens in Glasgow (green)
2) Oslo in Bloom (taupe & coral)
3) Sunlit in Stockholm (yellow)

Please enter through the Rafflecopter form below.

Contest ends on April 4, 2013 at 11:59pm PST
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mar 25, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Featured Giveaway, Kids, Motherhood Tagged Baby, Baby Bags, Baby Style, City Carry All Diaper Bag, Cute Diaper Bags, Diaper Bags, gifting, giveaway, handbags, maternity, moms, Momstyle, Petunia Pickle Bottom, savvy sassy moms, Style, Stylish diaper bags Comments 693

Big City Moms Throws Los Angeles’ Biggest Baby Show Ever

Last week in Hollywood, hundreds of expecting and new moms came together for “The Biggest Baby Shower Ever” event, hosted by Big City Moms. I was lucky enough to attend and boy did it live up to its name.

With dozens of vendors participating including Joovy, the Honest Company, Baby Jogger, Mama Mio, Mustela, UppaBaby and more, there were plenty of giveaways, samples and more to be had. I’ve never seen so many baby products in one location. So much to learn, and so much to add to my registry!

Celebrity parents including Giuliana Rancic, Beverley Mitchell, James and Kimberly Van der Beek and Bill Horn and Scout Masterson (“The Guncles”) came to check out the latest and great must-haves for mommy and baby.

Giuliana Rancic hosted a VIP meet and greet session with Born Free where she greeted hundreds of expecting moms and talked about her mommy must-haves, baby Duke, and life as a working mom.

Beverley Mitchell, who is due in just three weeks, came to check out all the fun product finds and to support her friends Bill and Scout who were speaking on baby product trends. She was feeling “a little ginormous” but was in great spirits all evening, and had lots of energy to tour the entire event, talk to fans, and share details of her pregnancy. Girl, I can feel you on the “ginormous” front. I’m just five months, but I am very round. She was great.

James Van der Beek came to support wife Kimberly who spoke to the crowd about natural childbirth and her own personal experience — “it was not as easy as my mom had promised,” and was her biggest fan, taking her photo on the red carpet and video taping her entire speech for their personal home videos. So sweet to see them holding hands through out the event. Couldn’t help but love it.

Bill Horn and Scout Masterson came prepped with all of the latest must-have baby products on the market and proved their stellar daddy skills with their product demo for the crowd. The couple were happy to share their entire daddy intel with the guests on-hand. Loved seeing these hands on dads show off their baby loving skills.

Didn’t make it to this year’s event? Check out the Big City Moms website for information on upcoming events and happenings. With any luck, they’ll be coming to a city near you soon!

*Photo credit – Alexandra Wyman, AP

Mar 18, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Celebrity Moms, Style Tagged Baby Shower, big city moms, biggest baby shower ever, Celebrity, Events, Hollywood, los angeles, moms Comments 0

Star Treatment for Your Locks at the Beverly Hilton’s Belleza Salon

Awards season might be over, but it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself like a starlet. Nestled in the famed Beverly Hilton (home to the Grammy’s and other star studded events) is the Belleza Salon where chairs have seen the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Catherine McPhee, Julianna Ranic and more. Just walking from the parking lot through the lobby, you’re bound to see someone famous. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Hayden Paniterie poolside while there.

Walk ins are welcomed but be sure you book ahead for stylist to the stars, Kelley Krueger. If you want to judge a stylist by her own hair, Kelley’s long ombre-colored curled locks and side swept bangs are a great indication of her work.

I went in knowing I need a change. Since the birth of my son a few years ago, my hair has totally changed. It’s now lack luster and the brunette color is more mousy than marvelous. To make matters worse, my current pregnancy is leaving my locks lifeless.

Kelley took one look and knew what to do:

Add more layers.
Thin out sections of my heavy hair.
Make a more defined bang so that even if I wore it in a pony tail, I’d still look styled.
Create a wash and go look that would be just as fetching styled as it would air-dried.

But the treatment that really revitalized my tresses was the moisture rich color rinse that was chosen just a shade darker than my natural hair color. It is semi permanent, but safe for pregnant women as it is all-natural and protein packed. It provided a luster and sheen that I hadn’t seen in my hair for several months.

A few snips and a blow out later, I was a new woman. Speaking of blow out, this woman has skills. She walked me throw every step so that I could easily recreate the look at home. So often that’s my frustration when going to a salon. I can never get it to look as good as it did when first styled. But with Kelley’ tips and a little practice, I know I can get there.

As seen on ABC 7 eyewitness news, she offers a blow dry boot camp to helps moms achieve salon results at home. Worth checking out if your part of the round brush challenged crowd like I was.

Pricing is based on hair type and cut, but starts at $50. And color rinse start at $40. Parking is validated for three hours, so take your time.

Hungry? Thirsty? Order lunch or a cocktail from the popular Trader Vics http://www.beverlyhilton.com/Dining/trader_vic.asp while getting your treatment and make an afternoon of it.

Moms, share your hair make over stories with us. How did you get the life back into your locks post baby?

Mar 18, 2013 Posted by Christina Montoya Fiedler In Beauty, Celebrity Moms, Style Tagged belleza salon, beverly hilton, hair care, Hair Style, Hollywood, starlet, stars Comments 0