Moms' Back to School Essentials

It's time to make sure mom is well-equipped to take on another year of school. You've shopped for the kids, labeled all their gear, check off all the supplies needed, and now it's time to give mom some much need attention. We've got a list of five things you need to invest in to get your year off to a fabulous start. These are frivolous purchases-they're the essential tools you'll need to effectively manage your family and squeeze in time for yourself.

Haircut

Most likely you've neglected your own beauty routine this summer as you've been jumping in and out of the pool, going on trips to the zoo and planning campouts in the backyard. Start flipping through magazines and pick out a fresh new hairstyle. Then work with your stylish to make sure it's something easy to maintain. A stylish cut can make all the difference in making you feel polished and pretty.

A Mom Organizer

Treat yourself to a great mom-centric calendar. The portable and colorful Mom Agenda (it's only 5 x 7) has a place for everything. The planner has a day-on-a-page format with space for mom and up to four children. For longer-range planning, there is also the Month-at-a-glance view. Unlike other agendas the address book can be removed and reused from year to year. We also adore the Busy Body Book Wall Calendar ($14.95 each). Perfect for the kitchen, this calendar has a Weekly GRID format that allows you fill in seven individual columns. No double booking, overbooking or overlooking!

Trip to the Lingerie department

We're not asking you to revamp your wardrobe-just give yourself a good foundation. At our last bra fitting we discovered we had the absolutely wrong bra size. Finding the right size makes a huge difference on how your clothing looks and feels. Most department stores will offer a free fitting and consultation. It's time and money well spent.

Sneakers

You'll have far fewer excuses to skip your workouts now that the kids are in school. The first step is picking the right pair of gym shoes. We're love the new Skechers Shape-Ups the unique design can help you burn more calories while simply walking. We also love the "tubes" running shoes from K-Swiss. Once you have the right footwear, use your time wisely and head to the gym after drop-off or start a stroller workout program with a friend.

Technology Update

Keeping track of your brood is a lot easier of you've got reliable technology. Make sure you're using your time wisely by investing in a great smart phone that will allow you to check email on the fly. Right now we love the Palm Pre Plus, the iPhone (if you can get good coverage) and the Droid. These phones allow multitasking moms to use down time waiting at the soccer field or in line at the grocery store to stay up to date and connected. Take the time to learn the apps associated with your new phone. Most companies have video tutorials. Spend a few minutes watching them--the little tips and tricks you learn can make a huge difference.

For more style tips, reviews and ideas for moms that want to live a fashionable and fun life make sure to check in to Momtrends-the lifestyle site for modern moms.