on the wednesday morning after the most historic election of our time, i, like millions of others around the world, when on the internet to eagerly read insightful stories about the dawn of a NEW day coming. instead, most of the media outlets were overflowing with commentary (mostly negative) on michelle obama’s wardrobe choice for tuesday night’s grand stage. now, i have to admit, i for one, wasn’t ‘crazy’ about the dress myself, because i have seen her in the past really nail it - whether she was in an frock from old navy, a off-the-rack number from white house/black market, or haute couture – flat out, the woman’s got style. what i was CRAZY about was the fact that she didn’t conform to the past and wear the couture skirt suit and traditional string of white pearls that we have so often seen more demurely worn in the past. michelle’s dress – from the body conscious fit, to the fire-red bold print – said, “i am confident, strong, and will not conform or be the stereotypical first lady you have seen in the past.” it also speaks volumes that she is conscious of the current economic state of our country and she doesn’t need to spend 10k on an outfit just to look good (not that narcisco rodriquez is cheap).

as the ultimate modern mama, ms. obama probably also took into consideration that a bold, abstract print will hide any potential stains from the hand prints (and hugs!) from her two, beautiful daughters throughout the long day and night. (think of unknowingly showing up at a board meeting with two small ‘peanut-butter’ handprints on your brown suit from the last-minute hug you received from your wee one before heading out early for that all important meeting or a kool-aid kiss on your ivory pants…i’ve been there – we all have! - if it were a print, no one would have noticed – but pinstripes or solids don’t conceal a thing!

and, after all, she ain’t no dummy – she and barack are the most highly-educated/highest degree earners ever to become first lady and president. i am looking forward with anticipation to see how the next four years plus, roll out – and i am also looking forward to seeing this obama mama and her style and grace as the first lady and the first REAL modern mama in the white house! yes, there’s been other first ladies in the past that were mothers – but none came even close to being a true modern mama! it is clearly the dawn of a new day coming – from foreign policy to fashion, and everything in between!

although we really can’t completely avoid shopping with our precious offspring in tow, now that the holidays are upon us, here is my advice and must-have amo when taking the little ones shopping.

1. shopping cart: since my kids are 4 and 2 (and are on the tall side), they no longer fit in strollers which regulates me to only shopping at stores that have carts that they can sit in.  carts AND a toy section is an added bonus.
2. lollipops:  lollipops are the best – like my american express card, i don’t leave home without them since it takes about 20 minutes for my kids to finish a lollipop while sitting, calmly and content – and  contained in a shopping cart.

most of my shopping with the kids revolves around grocery shopping, or a quick run to supertarget, but if i have to go clothing shopping with them, nordstrom rack and marshalls are pretty much the only places i know of that have cute clothes AND shopping carts.  of course, with the kids, you are guaranteed a return trip back since i don’t recommend trying on attempting to try on clothes while they are with you – this only cuts significantly into your lollipop time!

so next time when you are out shopping with the wee ones, don’t be a ‘sucker’ - grab a pack of ‘dum-dums’ (they are the smaller version of the tootsie pops with no gum/tootsie roll inside) – throw the kids in the cart and start shopping…after all, you’ve got 20 minutes – and for the modern mama and uber multi-tasker, we can accomplish a lot in 20 minutes!