Style Has a New Address...

In case you were wondering...Kristie Ramirez Hoitsma (contributing editor for Texas Monthly, and editor of FASHION from the publishers of Texas Monthly) has set up shop on a new blog site, Texas Style & Substance, where she continues reporting on her stylish finds and fashionable news (amongst other things) throughout the great state of Texas. As a former Nesting mom (April 2009), we know first hand, the girl knows her stuff.

texasstyleandsubstance.blogspot.com

cheers/ lauren

Book Signing with DallasChild Mom Next Door

Mom Kristine Kahanek knows a thing or two about the weather (after all, she's a veteran meteorologist). The busy mom has stepped out from behind the camera and into a new realm: book writing.

Following the release of her first book, Katie and the Magic Umbrella: A Stormy Adventure, last year, Kristine recently finished her second book, (a sequel) Katie and the Magic Umbrella on Snowflake Trail. Perfect for sparking a discussion with your kids about the cold winter weather patterns, this beautifully illustrated book will fascinate little minds at bedtime and beyond!

You can purchase your own copy of the new book (and Katie merchandise) at Plano's Learning Express store. Or, preorder a copy of the book at Legacy Books (972/398-9888) in Plano and pick it up at Kristine's book signing at 6pm Monday Dec. 18. During the event, Kristine will sign books, discuss the new release and host a storytime—don't miss it!

To learn more about the inspiration behind Katie and the Magic Umbrella, go here or read our exclusive interview with Kristine that printed in our February 2009 issue.

—Gretchen

What to Do Today: Dec. 4

DALLAS
Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Check out Friday Lunch Time With Santa from 12-1:30pm today at Allen's Watters Creek. Lunches will be provided (while supplies last) to kids of all ages, who will get to sit down and eat with Santa and hear stories about life at the North Pole. Free.


FORT WORTH
Take a step back in time for A Victorian Christmas from 3-6pm today at Grapevine's Nash Farm. Kids will make Victorian ornaments, string cranberry garlands, take a hayride and sip hot chocolate. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
See a group of talented young actors take the stage in The Homecoming at 7:30pm today at Denton's Campus Theatre. The play, set in the Virginia mountains during the Great Depression, served as the basis for the TV show The Waltons. $8.

A (Modern) Thanksgiving Table to a T

Joslyn Taylor (November's Nesting mom profile) needs your help. A tablescape she's designed for the Dwell Studio Modern Thanksgiving contest has made it to the finals! The entry with the most comments by tonight at midnight wins, so comment away! In our humble opinion, it's quite fabulous. Combining nature (natural wood branches and plants) with modern textiles and whimsical (but still with a hint of traditional) china? Pretty amazing. All-in-all, we think it's a job well done for Joslyn and well-deserving of your comments.

Best of luck Joslyn!

Cheers/ Lauren

Spaliday Stocking Stuffers!

Whether you decide to be nice this season and give someone the gift of indulgence or take the naughty (and oh-so-worth-it) approach and pamper yourself — this holiday you simply must take a Hiatus. This original Aveda lifestyle spa club is the first of its kind in the United States and offers signature Aveda massages, facials, body treatments and alternative therapies, all brought to you in a relaxing, modern environment. Since everyone knows the benefits of spa life (and by everyone I mean those fond of checkout-stand beauty mags), do yourself and those you love a favor this season and stock up on Hiatus gift cards—a.k.a. the most perfect stocking stuffers imaginable.

phone: 214/352 -4111
hiatus™ spa + retreat
Inwood Village
5560 W. Lovers Lane, Suite 250
Dallas

—Jenny

What to Do Today: Dec. 3

DALLAS
Enjoy creative fun at JumpstART Stories and Art: Winter Wonderland at 10am today at the Irving Arts Center. Kids ages 3 and older will hear cool seasonal stories and an art project to take home. Free.


FORT WORTH
Need to get your holiday shopping done (or, ummm, started)? Take advantage of Drop and Shop from 5-9pm today at The Keller Pointe in Keller. Children ages 3-11 (must be potty trained) will have fun with movies, crafts, games and a snack while their parents sneak away for some retail therapy and errand-running! $21-$10 per child.


NORTH TEXAS
It's just not Christmas in North Texas without the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival, kicking off at 5pm today on the downtown Denton square. Kids will love singing along with a live band, plus visits with Santa, carriage rides, the city's official tree lighting and a concert by Brave Combo. Free.

What to Do Today: Dec. 2

DALLAS
It's Christmastime in University Park (there's even a dusting of snow on the ground to prove it!), so head to the Snider Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting at 5pm today at University Park's Snider Plaza. Kids (and grownups) will enjoy caroling, visits with Santa and the lighting of the city's tree. Free.


FORT WORTH
Check out beautiful artwork at the new exhibit From the Private Collections of Texas: European Art, Ancient to Modern from 10am-5pm today at Fort Worth's Kimbell Art Museum. The exhibit includes more than 100 works by such famous rtists as Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso. $14 adults; $12 students and seniors; $10 children ages 6-10; children younger than 6 free.


NORTH TEXAS
Kids in fourth through sixth grades will come together for their very own book club at Dragon Readers at 4:30pm today at the Lewisville Public Library. The event will include discussion of an age-appropriate book plus fun activities. Free.

What to Do Today: Dec. 1

DALLAS
Creative little Lego lovers won't want to miss the Lego Store Mini Model Build from 5-7pm today at Dallas' NorthPark Center Lego Store. Kids ages 6-14 will make a cool Lego wreath to take home for the holidays! While supplies last. Free.


FORT WORTH
Don't miss the wintry fun at the Holiday Tree Lighting from 6-8pm today at the Old Bedford School in Bedford. Children of all ages will enjoy stories, carols, visits with Santa and the lighting of the city's tree. Photos with Santa will be available for $5.


NORTH TEXAS
Ring in the holidays at Our Village Glows from 6:30-8pm today at The Shops at Highland Village. You'll marvel as the 54-foot Christmas tree is lit, and you'll enjoy carriage rides, school choir performances and more.

What to Do Today: Nov. 24

DALLAS
The weather today should be perfect for a zoo trip—and what's even sweeter is it's Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo from 9am-4pm! Take a leisurely stroll through the zoo's exhibits and see all kinds of animals up close for just $1 per person.


FORT WORTH
Moms won't want to miss the Sip and Shop event from 4-7pm today at Fort Worth's The Greener Good. You'll enjoy raffles, samplings of organic wines and the chance to browse cool eco-chic gifts, from home decor to baby items. Free admission.


NORTH TEXAS
Pack up your little one and head to Mother Goose Time at 10am today at Denton's North Branch Library. Children ages birth to 18 months and their caregivers will have lots of fun with stories, rhymes and songs. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 23

DALLAS
Have a spot of fun at Story Time With Ty at 10:30am today at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Dallas' Preston Royal Shopping Center. Kids will hear the classic tale 101 Dalmatians and even have a chance to win tickets to The 101 Dalmatians Musical, opening in Dallas Dec. 1! Free.


FORT WORTH
Cheer on the Lady Frogs basketball team as they take on Texas Southern University at 11:30am today at Texas Christian University's Daniel Meyer Coliseum. Fans are invited to bring a sack lunch to munch on while enjoying the game. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Get your game face on for Fun and Games at 3:30pm today at the Coppell Public Library. Children ages 5 and older will meet up to play games against school-age opponents. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 20

DALLAS
Remember when your "late nights" actually involved staying out late (rather than falling asleep in front of the TV at 8pm)? Relive those old glory days—with your kids in tow!—at the Dallas Museum of Art's Late Nights event from 6pm-12am today. The whole fam will flip for Studio Creations, where kids can make their own artwork; Kids Yoga; stories; and more. $10 adults; children younger than 12 free.


FORT WORTH
Kick off your holiday season with the funny musical Santa Claus is Coming to Town at 7pm today (and continuing every Friday-Sunday through Dec. 23) at Fort Worth's Casa Mañana Theatre. When a greedy toy company convinces a judge to outlaw Santa, a group of clever kids must travel to the North Pole and save the day! Tickets are $19-$17.


NORTH TEXAS
Hear some cool tunes when Forever Plaid takes the stage at 7:30pm today (and 7:30pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday) at the Denton Community Theatre. The show, which is appropriate for all ages, includes sweet harmonies and funny banter by the fictitious 1950s-style singing quartet The Plaids. Tickets are $18-$10.

Attention, Nick Jr. Fans!

DJ Lance Rock and his cast of cool cuties will take the stage for one day only in Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City at 11am and 3pm Nov. 28 at Frisco's Dr Pepper Arena! The exciting, musical live show will feature all your favorites from the popular kid's TV show: Foofa, Muno, Brobee, Plex and Toodee (parents of preschoolers understand) and, of course, DJ Lance himself!

Tickets start at $29 (children younger than 1 free) and are available through Tickets.com.

And what could be better than seeing one of your kids' favorite shows come to life on stage? Winning a family four-pack of tickets—and a Yo Gabba Gabba! CD—on us! The first three people who can correctly guess my favorite TV show as a child will win the tickets and the CDs. Hint: The show was "truly outrageous." E-mail your guesses to cking@dallaschild.com. And good luck!

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City
11am and 3pm Nov. 28
Dr Pepper Arena
2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco
866/337-1312
www.yogabbagabba.com

—Claudia

For EveryBODIES!

Did you know ... It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown? By age 60, most people have lost half of their taste buds? If the average man never trimmed his beard, it would grow to nearly 30 feet long in his lifetime? (That gives me new appreciation for razors.)

Learn more fun facts and a gain a wealth of knowledge about the human body at the educational exhibition BODIES, opening Nov. 21 at the West End Marketplace in Dallas. Through the sensitive presentation of actual whole-body specimens and individual organs, this awe-inspiring exhibition will reveal how your body works by exploring it from the inside out. Both fascinating and beautiful, this eye-opening display is an unforgettable experience for inquisitive minds of all ages.

BODIES Exhibition will run through April 2010.

Ticket prices range from $24-$22 for adults and $16-$14 for children.

603 Munger Ave.

Dallas

866/312-3931
www.bodiesdallas.com

-Jenny

What to Do Today: Nov. 19

DALLAS
Expose your kids to the benefits of classical music at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Ravel: Bolero concert at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The orchestra will perform Maurice Ravel's famous Bolero and Georges Bizet's Symphony No. 1. Tickets start at $22.


FORT WORTH
Bundle up for some outdoor exploration during Evening Stroll With a Naturalist at 5:30pm today at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. You'll join a professional guide and find out what happens along the refuge's trails after nightfall. Call ahead to pre-register. $10.


NORTH TEXAS
Get a historically fun lesson at If These Walls Could Talk Lecture Series from 11-11:45am today at Denton's Bayless Selby House Museum. You'll get an up-close look at winter fashions from the Victorian era. Free.