show your love of family...with melvin jewelry

Most moms would agree...when you've got kids, you want to flaunt them. The famous multi-colored Aaron Basha baby shoe charm collection and the designer discs displayed on chains with each child's initial, are just a few of the "Mommy" status symbols you see around women's necks and wrists at the local playground or on the mat next to you at Gymboree.

While I love the concept, I always found myself looking for something different to display my affection for my mini me's.

So I was thrilled when I walked into the Ora showroom, set in the heart of NYC's fashion district, and found the Melvin jewelry collection, a variety of eclectic bracelets, cuffs, earrings, necklaces and rings with definite tribal and exotic influences.

Amidst these amazing works, I fell in love with the Charm Necklaces and Bracelets in the Out of Africa collection, designed to really get their messages across. Inspirational words like "bravery", "good fortune," and "health" were inscribed on the back of the crystal studded charms to interpret the symbols featured on the front. These symbols are used to tell the stories within African Mudcloth.

My favorites were the "Love of Family" charms, available on stacked gold or silver chains, which echoed my sentiments exactly, and even boasted four crystals which could easily represent the four members of my family--myself, my husband, my son and my daughter. I would be proud to wear them anywhere.

For more info about the Out of Africa collection or to shop for Melvin Jewelry, go to www.shopmelvin.com.

organize your life

It's tough keeping track of your life, your husband's life, your kids' lives and everything in between. And while the latest computer programs let you track everything online, I still rely on good 'ol pen and paper to keep important info at my fingertips. Erin Condren's 2010 Life Planners are the perfect solution. There are plenty of pockets to hold receipts and sections to keep track of everything from carpools to parent teacher conferences. There are large daily views to track all four birthday parties you have to attend on any given Sunday. And elastic band for “quickflips” and “to-do” side bars make it possible to juggle all the work and personal events that life throws your way. Go to www.erincondren.com and enter PLAN25 at checkout to receive 25% off your purchase--now through the end of January only!

holiday gift guide: the Yidishkeyt tales

Just because Chanukah is over, doesn't mean you can't get your kids this adorable story, The Yidishkeyt Tales: Moishe's Story ($16.99). Written by Erin Verkhovsky Finelli, the book is dedicated to her great grandparents and all other immigrants who journeyed from Kobrin, Russian Empire to New York. It features authentic historical photos and tells the tale of how they met in a lighthearted poem that rhymes Yiddish words (don't worry, there's a glossary in the back if you can't get the gist from the context). Your kids will definitely learn a bit of the lost language, which is a nice change after they spend hours with Dora and Kai-Lan. The story is very kheynevdik (cute) and Finelli's fammily should shep nachas (derive pleasure) from her efforts. Buy it for your kids at www.amazon.com.

holiday gift guide: give annabel karmel

Uggh! I start getting frustrated every day at about 4 PM. That's about the time I have to start thinking about making dinner for the family. All four of us! What happened to the good 'ol days when single-girl-me could go to the movies and count my small portion of popcorn sans butter as my dinner allotment. Now not a day goes by without four tiny eyes staring up at me saying, "I'm hungry. Is dinner ready yet??!" The worst part is, I feel like I know how to whip up a few basics and I stick to them since I don't have much time to start creating new dishes. Thankfully, leading nutritionist and children's book author Annabel Karmel comes through with the book, Favorite Family Meals, and there are enough pages to feed my kids (and husband!) for at least a few months. Not only does she offer delicious easy-to-make recipes--everything from soups and pizzas, to vegetarian dishes and desserts--but she also features plenty of tips, like preventing tooth decay, offering healthy protein suggestions, encouraging weight maintenance in kids and lunch box ideas (there's also a Lunch Boxes and Snacks book too!) Find both, as well as Karmel's other great titles at www.annabelkarmel.com.

playdate with a pachyderm

Lions and tigers and bears...oh my! OK, maybe just some exotic elephants. If you need to get away with the family but want to do more than lounge on the beach, pack your bags and head to Hoedspruit, South Africa. Camp Jabulani, a Relais & Chateaux, eco-award-winning luxury safari camp near Kruger National Park, introduces a new edutainment program called Team Tusker, designed for children under the age of 12 staying at the Camp’s luxurious newest lodging, Zindoga Presidential Villa (opens September 2009). Kids will learn the basics of tracking, dung throwing, camp survival, orienteering, bush cooking, animal art, star gazing, radio communication, bird watching and much more. Camp Jabulani’s Zindoga Presidential Villa was named after the first male elephant born to the camp’s herd; the name means “on its own.” The ultra-deluxe villa consists of two luxurious suites each accommodating two adults with an additional annex to accommodate two children. In addition, the facility boasts a wood-burning fireplace in the lounge, gas fire places in the suites and two heated pools, as well as a dedicated chef and team on hand to guarantee that everything goes smoothly for every member of the party. I know my kids would be thrilled to meet the camp's dozen specially trained elephants and take an elephant-back safari. Rates for the entire Zindoga Suite start at 38,500 R or US $4,844 per night. For more information, visit www.campjabulani.com

the great escape

Summer is the perfect time to get away...and family travel is affordable and easy to arrange this summer, thanks to new and exciting deals from Trafalgar Tours. Whether you want to show your kids the castles of the British Isles or the great plains of the Old West, Trafalgar's specially designed Family Tours cater to your every need. With Trafalgar, you can save you up to 40% off the cost of putting together a similar vacation on your own. And kids 14 years old or younger who share triple or quad accommodations with two adults save up to an additional 40% off the adult fare (special savings are also available for children 15 to 17). Choose from these great packages...

European Adventures. Your clients will see it all - from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Toy Museum in Prague, the Glockenspiel in Munich, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This is a 15-day journey for everyone and includes a sweep of England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France - nine countries filled with history and culture -- from $2,250 per person.

Castles, Highlands & Heritage. The vast beauty of Great Britain is revealed on a 15-day tour through England, Wales, and Scotland, with fascinating sites including Stonehenge, Shakespeare's home, a journey to Loch Ness, and a visit to St. Andrews. Rates start at $2,050 per person.

Gladiators, Gondolas & Mountains. Families can travel, dine and explore their days away within the breathtaking beauty of Italy, France, Monaco, and Switzerland on this 13-day tour that visits Rome, Florence, the Tuscan Hills, Nice, Geneva, Zermatt, Italian Lakes, and Venice. Rates begin at $2,175 per person.

If you want to stay closer to home, check out these amazing itineraries right here in the US...

Adventures in the Wild Northwest. Vacationing families will wander the great North Woods enshrouded in canopies of centuries old giant redwood trees. They will ride dune buggies in the sand, race jet boats on the Rogue River, zoom to the top of the Space Needle and more in a wild 9-day journey of the Northwest that runs from San Francisco to Seattle. Rates start from $1,935 per person.

Pioneer Adventures of the Old West. This sojourn in the vast high desert includes all the great American memories that kids will hold dear for the rest of their lives. They will see Montezuma's Castle, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway, swim in Lake Powell and see the Old West in style on an 8-day escapade from Phoenix to Las Vegas via Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon national parks. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

Wild West, Cowboys and Buffaloes. What child would say no to a chance to explore Cowboy Country - where the Wild West began. Children of all ages will have a rip-roarin' good time on this 8-day adventure through the true cowboy towns of Jackson, Cody, Sheridan and Keystone. Even the most reticent of travelers will want to ride a genuine 1880 steam train in Yellowstone and gaze up to the famous faces at Mt. Rushmore. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

All rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include airfare. They include top quality hotel accommodations, luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship, outstanding cuisine, daily sightseeing and optional excursions with expert local guides, and personal concierge services. For more info, see your travel agent, call 866.544.4434, or go to www.trafalgartours.com.

family retreat

I remember staying at a certain Caribbean mega-resort and overhearing parents talking about dropping their kids off for the day at the kids' program, then hiring a babysitter for the evening so they could go out to dinner and the casino. While I am all for "couple only" vacations, when traveling with the kids I believe you should actually spend some time with them. That's why the new Family Package at The Somerset on Grace Bay is so appealing. This idyllic property in Turks and Caicos was developed by Allyson Nick, a New York real estate developer and mother of five, who knows what families want to get out of a vacation. She designed the Somerset with exceptionally large suites (featuring one to five bedrooms!), two swimming pools (one with a zero-entry shallow end for toddlers and the other with underwater music piped through for teens). The Family Package (available now through December 18th, 2009) offers four night stays for the price of three (a savings of $500 to $4,000, depending on the type of room booked) and includes an Alice in Wonderland tea party, a beachfront clambake with live music, a dive-in movie night, early dining room hours for kids (plus free meals for those under 12!), cookie baking sessions, en suite pizza delivery (extra charge), complementary snorkeling equipment and babysitting services (if you do want to get away for an hour or two!). For more info, visit www.thesomerset.com.

spring break

The kids have been cranky, your spouse snaps at everything and you really need a change from the daily doldrums. Sounds like it's time for a change of scenery. But where can you take the whole family when you need a break? Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya was recently named "most family friendly resort in Mexico." After a multi-million dollar renovation, the luxurious all-suite, all-inclusive property offers families all the space and amenities they need (you'll find some of the largest rooms of any beachfront property here). Says Claudio A. Zboznovits, vice president of sales and marketing in the U.S. and Canada, "With our redesigned suites and renewed public spaces, we have further strengthened our positioning as a family favorite hotel." Just 20 minutes from downtown Puerta Vallarta, the hotel overlooks Mismaloya Bay and its 317 one- and two-bedroom suites boast balconies with panoramic views. There are four outdoor swimming pools with waterfalls, a children's slide, Jacuzzis, on-site shopping, a state-of-the-art fitness center (for your well-deserved dose of R & R) and five restaurants (to please each of your children's palates). To make your reservation or for more info, call 1-800-Barcelo, or visit www.barcelolajollademismaloya.com.