Sunday, November 30, 2008

Piper Palin Loves Mommy's High Heel Shoes!

11/30/2008
So tonight, I was shuffling through the stack of mail that has been sitting on my desk since before Thanksgiving and found a review card which made my night! How cute is this review from Piper Palin in Alaska?

When I got my early review copies back in September, I saw Piper Palin on TV during the election being so sweet taking care of her little brother on her lap while watching her Mom up on Stage. Then, I noticed the very cool high heel shoes that Sarah Palin was wearing and thought, "that little cutie pie needs a copy of my book!" So, I googled the governors office in Alaska and found the address. Since it was going to the governor's office, I didn't package it too fancy just in case they would be scared of something packed in pink crinkles or with a feathered boa. I thought, "If I were opening Sarah's mail, I would make sure she got my book!" So thank you to the mail person for getting my book to Sarah Palin's family safely! Here is Piper's review! Thank you Piper for sending this along :) I am so thrilled you loved my book and I love how you put a heart over the i in your name!


Here is the cute clip of Piper taking care of baby brother!
Don't you just love her :)




And if you haven't seen this interview with Matt Lauer- take a peek!

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Podcast of my interview with Brad Segall for the Philadelphia Agenda Show- 98.1 WOGL

November 25th, 2008
On October 26th, I did an interview with Brad Segall for the Philadlelphia Public Agenda (98.1 WOGL). I finally figured out how to download the interview and make it a podcast! The interview gets better as it moves along. I think I was a little nervous in the beginning.





to download a podcast of my interview!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New Jersey Moms Blog Launch Party

After a fun ride in the drenching rain on Saturday night, Mary Fran and I arrived at the New Jersey Moms Blog Lauch Party. When we first arrived at the gallery I thought, "hmmm....where the heck are we?" It was a dark night and the Gold Medal Impressions Gallery in Princeton, NJ. was tucked off the main highway behind another building. After figuring out we were in the right place by seeing the party balloons blown down on the lawn, we got out of the car and sprinted through the rain to the door. What a warm welcome we got from the New Jersey mommies and from Dick Druckman the photographer that owns this gem of a gallery.

After grabbing a drink, I was swooped off with a couple other moms for a tour of the gallery. So, for anyone who didn't get the tour, here are some of the highlights that you missed! Remember this is my first adventure with my video camera. I'm just thrilled I figured out how to get it uploaded!

The Baseball Room....


And a very cool picture of Joe Torre with a great story!



More than just sports at the gallery....thank god!!


Which picture did you bring home?


Thank you ladies for setting up this wonderful event at the Gold Medal Impressions Gallery. It was great to get the invite to your NJ Moms Blog Launch party! I wish I got more footage of us Moms....next party- I promise. Mr. Druckman was just too cute.

I did get Mary Fran though....


ps. If I didn't say goodbye to you at the party, it's because I couldn't tear myself away from my foot massage :) It's a rare opportunity that my wide feet get attention.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Fun at Building Blocks!

November 16th, 2008

Click Picture to see how cute this is!!!!

This makes all the hard work worth it.  I got this adorable poster from Mrs. Myers' Pre-K class. It says: "Dear Mrs. Finnan, Thank you for visiting our class and sharing Mommy's High Heel Shoes.  It was a lot of fun!  
Love, Mrs. Myer's class at Building Blocks."  

Thank you so much for this beautiful poster!  
Please tell your kids it is hung up proudly in my office!


A Review from Mama Neena

November 15th, 2008
Here is what Mama Neena had to say about Mommy's High Heel Shoes!

"I love books.  I have never made any bones about the fact that I am a book freak!  I have this weird obsession with owning books and having them surround me at any given moment.  I swear my decorating style is Early American paperback.  My children are the same way.  We have shoved reading and books down their throats since each of them was a fetus.  They love books and my son can read in the bathroom like seasoned old man!  

That is partly why I was so excited for the chance to do a book review.  Not only is this my first review here on MamaNeena, but it is also my chance to review a new children's book.  Books and kids - I'd say I've got that covered pretty well, wouldn't you!?

The book is called Mommy's High Heel Shoes by Kristie Finnan. She was gracious enough to send me an autographed copy and the kids and I all felt like we were opening a present when it arrived.    

This is the story of a young girl named Cakes. Cakes uses the time her mommy is at work to try on the many shoes her mother has in her closet.  It is during this playtime that she discovers the many different roles and jobs her mommy must have.    I was immediately struck with the originality of the story.  It was such a nice change to see a book that looked beyond the role of 'mommy' to show that women fill many shoes throughout their day and their lives.  They work, garden, cook, socialize, and take care of their families all while still attempting to takes care of themselves.  

It did a great job showing how a mother can do more for her family by taking a little time and doing something for herself.  Wearing fancy shoes makes Cake's mommy feel good and that helps her to be a better mother.  I felt drawn to this particular idea because I think one of the first things mothers tend to do is put themselves on the back burner for the sake of their children.  We often struggle with guilt when trying to do things for ourselves.  But, this book makes a point to show that taking that time for ourselves is better for our children in the long run because it makes us better mothers.  

The artwork for this book is bright, colorful, and full of little details that make it pop.   It definitely had a traditional feel to it with the details within the pictures adding a modern twist.  Think of it as 1950's art meets 'have it all' mom of the new millennium.   The book also includes hidden pictures on each page so that my children and I could find them together.  

After I read the book I turned my children lose on it.  My four year old daughter immediately pointed out all the things I do just like Cake's mommy.   She did ask me if the daddy in the book stayed home while the mommy worked.  I told her I didn't know, but she informed me that he probably did because somebody needed to take care of  the kids.  I suppose in her eyes all families have a parent that stays home.  But, I was comforted in knowing that she didn't find it even a little bit strange for the traditional roles to be reversed.  My son was fascinated with searching for the hidden pictures.  I guess that is expected considering his nickname used to be 'Waldo.'

I can honestly say that this book was not only enjoyable for me to read, but also entertaining for my children.  That, alone, is worth a pretty good review.  The author was also kind enough to offer my readers a 10% discount when ordering the book.  Just enter the code mama on the website when your purchase the book.  Offer expires 12/31/08.  This would make a great gift for any working mother and child for the upcoming holiday season.  

Now I just need to see if I can fit another book on to the already overcrowded kid bookshelf. For this one I'm sure I can make room!"

I'm glad you all loved it.  Thanks Mama Neena!!  To see Mama Neena's blog click HERE!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Press! The Bucks County Herald....

11/13/2008

Mommy's High Heel Shoes: 
Check out this article that was just written in the Bucks County Herald.  
Okay, I admit it...I sometimes speak at a "frenetic pace"  



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A smiling review!

November 12th, 2008
So, this review I just received from Aimee- the smiling mama brought tears to my eyes. The struggle all Moms feel when they are being tugged in two directions- one way at home and another with their career and their identity "before children". And even on the toughest days at work, it is important to remember why it feels good to be working- whether it's the income, career satisfaction, that we are helping others, benefits or even just the social aspect. If we remember and find a way each day to feel good about working, our kids will only benefit from our positive outlook and happy balanced disposition. Check out the smiling mama's review! She is also giving away her autographed copy to her readers! Thank you Aimee :)



Fan Mail

November 12th, 2008
I received a sparkling bit of fan mail last night. This one also put tears in my eyes!! Thank you Katherine for confirming that all of my hard work with this book was/is worth it!!!
This is what this Full Time Working Mommy wrote:

"Hi Kristie, I LOVE your book! And my daughter LOOOOOVVVES it! (Wish I could think of an endorsement that was a little more creative - but, hey you're the writer not me!)

Just to let you know this book has become "one of those" books that my daughter wants to read over and over and over. Now she's memorized most of it (in just about two weeks - I'm not lying, we've read it a lot...) and will read it to me, her father, her kindergarten class when she brought it for show and tell... She loved searching for the cupcakes, hearts and ladybugs too.

As for me, it was so great to read something that positively conveys the many roles a working mother takes on without being preachy. I love reading it to her and I love it that she's started talking about my high heel shoes. I do have closet envy for the mother in the book, however!

The only criticism that my daughter would like to offer is that on the page where it says "shoes for going out to the movies" she thinks it should say "date night." She tells me that every time,
whether I'm reading it or she is "You know mommy, it really should say 'date night' because the mommy and daddy are going on a date." So, maybe in the next edition... haha.

Anyway, now that I've practically written my own book - I have two questions:
1) There are a few people I would like to give this book to for Christmas (like my boss for one!) If I sent you a list would you mind autographing them as well when I order?
2) Would you mind if I sent out an email with a recommendation and a link to your website to some friends here that I think would really enjoy this book?

Hope you're having a good week. As for me, I'm looking forward to reading "Mommy's High Heel Shoes" again tonight!
Katherine


Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tech Savvy Mama includes my book in her holiday shopping guide!

November 9th, 2008- 11:08 pm
Great news!  I just wanted to let you all know that Leticia-Tech Savvy Mama who blogs for DC Metro Moms is including my book in her holiday shopping guide!
Here is her review for Mommy's High Heel Shoes:
"This fall I hung up my hat as a SAHM to become a PTWOHM.  Unlike so many life events that are depicted in stories, I had trouble finding a suitable book that I could use to begin a discussion with my children about me going back to work.  The brand new book, Mommy's High Heel Shoes is a delightful story that discusses why parents work while celebrating working moms, family bonds, and lots and lots of shoes!  The modern tale has charming illustrations that my children love to look at as they search for the ladybug, heart, and cupcake hidden on each page." 

Thank you Leticia!  I'm so thrilled you loved my book!

Blog Talk Radio

November 9th, 2008
So here I am at 1:30 in the morning with my sleeping daughter digging her feet into my side.  I was clicking all around the internet and somehow came across and interesting site (link below)   It looks like I blog in the same circle as this Mommy, Beth Feldman.  Since I was just on the 98.1 Philadelphia Public Agenda program to talk about my book, talk radio is particularly interesting to me at the moment!  Check this out....


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Mommy's High Heel Shoes-Reading Time Gone Mobile!

Now you can download Mommy's High Heel Shoes for your ipod touch, iphone or computer right from the iTunes App store and for a limited time just .99 cents! Your child can read along with the book or watch when you are in the car or out and about. Now screen time can be reading time too! Here is a 25% off code: MHHS. Just type the code in at the Mobistories.com checkout!