dinner is served

You have a brand new bundle of joy...that cries all the time and never seems to sleep! The last thing you want to do is figure out what to cook for dinner!

Thankfully, Chef Jamie created www.storksuppers.com, a website that allows you to order one-to-two week's worth of dinner to send to a new mom you know. Brilliant concept, right? And it's so easy to do.

Just email Jamie to request a packet with a gift certificate and book of menus to present to the mom. Jamie will contact her directly, find out what she wants to order and deliver the food on the designated day.

The meals are skillfully prepared by Chef Jamie herself, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute. Her time spent studying food and wine while traveling through Europe has definitely paid off. Her home chef cooking class business, Dinner Party Chef (www.dinnerpartychef.com) launched in 2004 and has been featured in the New York Times. After having a baby girl herself and with another one of the way, she decided that there was a need for home delivered meals for new moms and their families.

A quick glimpse at the menus prove this is no fast-food find. Choose from Pistachio and Meyer Lemon Crusted Halibut, Chicken Milanese with Baby Arugula and Grape Tomatoes, Pretzel Crusted Chicken, Filet Mignon Stuffed with Fresh Herbs, Turkey or Beef Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Sage, Lentil and Butternut Squash Stew, Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna, Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables and Pine Nuts and much more. The cost? One week of meals is $425 plus groceries, two weeks goes for $765 plus groceries (you get a 10% discount).

To place your order, email Jamie@dinnerpartychef.com or check out her site, www.storksupper.com for more info.

go with the flojo's

Ahhh, the lazy days of summer--kicking back at the beach, pina colada in hand, leafing through a juicy novel as the tide ripples at your feet.

You wish! Try zipping around the city, hauling your toddler to gym class, racing back to pick up your preschooler from camp and take him to the playground for an hour, then running home to start dinner and the nighttime routine. If that sounds more like what your summer will entail, you'll need lightweight, comfortable shoes that will keep you on the go--whether you're at the market, at the playground, or getting to and fro.

I love the Pixie style flip-flop ($22) from the Flojo's collection--it's simple and versatile, especially in refreshing summer white (it comes in black and brown too). It has a cool silver and gray, flower/vine patterned sole, so when you slip them off to sit on the mat during your kid's music class, you can show off the pretty pattern. And talk about comfort. The straps don't dig and there's a slight wedge at the sole so you get a bit of a lift but won't strain your calf muscles the way you do with a higher wedge. The only problem is, my two-and-a-half year old daughter loves them as much as I do so I have to hide them when she's playing dress up. Also, check out the Miranda ($26), a braided-strap sandal with soft, intertwining straps and a henna-esque foot bed design (available in chestnut or black).

To see the full Flojo's collection (including surfer-inspired styles for men), go to www.flojos.com.

forget me, knots!

Every morning my daughter (age 2.5) wakes up with a tangled head of hair--even after I've conditioned, spritzed and sprayed it with all kinds of detanglers the night before. So I decided to try this Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner ($13) from Jane Carter Solution. Since it's not designed for kids, I just rub in a drop after shampooing, massage through hair, then rinse. This range of products was created for all hair types--even dry, curly or color treated--so it really works hard to get hair smooth and silky. The fact that it's made with natural butters and organic essential oils makes me feel good about using it on her hair and it does make a difference. The best part: I can use it myself, along with the Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo ($10)--it's sulphate-free, has humectants to locks in moisture and a hint of peppermint to wake up your scalp. Try them both at www.janecartersolution.com.