By women, for women
I’m in a big nail painting phase right now and was craving some variety in place of my usual pinks. I found this beautiful shade of blue at Rite-Aid.
Today I was in Walgreen’s and spotted these little cuties:
These colors have a thin tiny brush perfect for adding decorative accents to your nails. Like this:
Cute or what?
They had a huge variety of colors, I wish I’d thought to snap a pic of the display.
I picked this up at Rite Aid today. LOVE the color.
Note: you will need a top coat to make it look shiny like mine.
I couldn’t find this color on Amazon but they do have several others: Sinful Colors
Since having been diagnosed with cancer, trying so many different medications, and getting older, my skin has turned into a hot mess. I have tried a lot of different skin care alternatives, cleansers, potions, and lotions before discovering that I can have perfect skin with Clarisonic.
Clarisonic Sonic Skin Care Cleansing Systems are patented sonic frequency cleansers that use more the 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6x more makeup and 2x more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone.
Left: without cleansing  After: Left-cleaned with Clarisonic Right-cleaned manually
I have had my Clarisonic for a little of a year now and I have to say that I won’t use anything else to clean my face. I have never had any breakouts, it is not harsh on my sensitive skin, and in my opinions, it has cleared up a lot of issues that I hated about my skin as a woman in my mid-thirties.
Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. Healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful!
What do you use to keep your face and skin looking perfect?
As parents, we are bombarded with choices regarding all facets of parenting from diapering to feeding to clothing our children. When it comes to how they learn and play, Melissa & Doug provides us the luxury of turning to one brand to give our children safe, quality toys.
From newborns to older children, Melissa & Doug has toys that enhance the fun of playtime by simultaneously developing fine motor, artistic, cognitive and other important developmental skills.
One of my son’s favorite toys is still his Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy. As a first birthday present, it helped assure him of his confidence to walk while providing him an attractively bright toy with animated sounds to spark his interest. Nine months later and a fully confident walker, he still enjoys pushing his Chomp and Clack around the house, only 50mph faster than before!
As a mom, I love that I am providing my son with toys that help his development and won’t turn my home into a loud, plastic jungle. Other favorites of his include the Large Farm Jumbo Knob Puzzle and the Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks.
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We were given an opportunity to select and review a product offered via Pro Home Stores and I selected this beautiful brass and enamel birdbath. I knew it would look fantastic in my sister’s front garden area – and it does!
I’m hesitant about ordering some things online and wondered if this birdbath would be ‘flimsy’. Turns out it’s solidly built and really gorgeous in person. There is an ‘L’ shape welded on at the ground that keeps the birdbath from twisting around and tipping over.
This is what my sis had to say: “It was easy to put together – just two items to thread together and then just stick it in the ground. The color red is excellent for butterflies also – and it is shallow enough for them too!”
Now that I’ve experienced the quality of Pro Home Store products, I would not hesitate to order from them again.
This Quinny Zapp X-tra in the bold Q-Design has many elements of today's trends.
We’re proud to have another great guest post from Stroller Expert Amy Tanathorn.
If you haven’t needed to look at strollers until recently, you’re in for a big surprise. Lots of newly pregnant moms I know still think that the big bulky, frilly stroller is their only option.
Well have I got news! Strollers over the last few years have grown increasingly sophisticated with more options, features and functionality. Not to mention better colors and style!
Revealed are the top stroller trends today competing for your attention.
Technology has given way to lighter aluminum that is just as strong as steel. Joovy is a brand that uses aircraft-grade aluminum for their frame. UPPAbaby and Maclaren strollers are super lightweight yet balanced enough to hang your purse on the handle.
Moms are tired of lugging around a heavy stroller in and out of the car trunk or off and on public transportation. Double strollers already carry up to 90 pounds of child plus gear. Add to that the weight of the stroller itself and you’ve got a tank!
Nowadays though, you regularly see full-featured strollers weighing under 20 pounds and umbrella strollers as light as 7 pounds.
This aluminum withstands a heavy weight, too. Many of these incredibly light strollers have an astonishing weight capacity. For example, the Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle is an all terrain stroller that weighs only 24 pounds, yet can carry up to 77 pounds! Yes, that’s a single stroller, not a double!
A few years ago when Bugaboo came onto the scene and was setting trends left and right, one of the looks most copied is the single wheel. Look at most of your traditional Graco/Evenflo/Combi strollers and they have double wheels in front and back for better stability and suspension.
But many of the higher-end lines like Inglesina and Peg Perego strollers began using sealed ball bearings in their single wheel models to smooth out the ride. A glide is more how it is described by moms who swoon over this style. (I swoon, too; they look beautiful!)
This trend has caught on with mass producer Graco who has the new UrbanLite, a single wheel lightweight model that has that high-end look for far less.
I was always disappointed in the sun canopies in most strollers. The sun would always shine at just that angle that would always get right into my child’s eyes.
Luxury strollers first offered enormous sun canopies, creating paneled or ratcheting hoods that extend over your child down to the snack tray or over the lap area. This feature became an instant favorite and now many brands have a stroller with this feature. Often times the panel zips up to stay tidy and compact until needed. Others types simply ratchet into place, like BOB strollers. You’ll also see pop-out sun visors, a-la UPPAbaby or Phil and Ted.
Another trend I’ve noticed on sun canopies is the peek-a-boo window getting larger. Many of them are no longer clear vinyl windows but mesh netting. I like this because it allows better air flow and it won’t crack, split or discolor after a few years.
The flaps covering these peek a boo windows have magnetic closures in higher-end brands. Magnetic closures are nice because there’s no Velcro rip sound to wake your baby when you check in.
This is perhaps the biggest stroller trend over the last couple of years. Also called a convertible stroller, the reversing, removable seat allows for greater seating flexibility. You can:
A convertible stroller is the solution for parents who want a travel system without the bulk and with a lot more style.
A fashionable, sleek look is in, and that oftentimes means no snack tray for your child. Padded bumper bars are used instead. Sometimes your child has little pockets within the seating “cabin” to hold little toys or snacks. Other brands offer a snack tray separately.
The same sleek look can also mean no parent console or cup holder, which is a huge bummer to moms and dads who like to have a cup of coffee during their outings. So this trend is getting mixed feedback and some brands have re-introduced a cup holder.
Ah, that sleek look again. Black stroller frames are very much in fashion right now. Quinny has their models in black or the traditional silver and their new Moodd even has a white frame with some color choices. It’s all about making a statement with bright bold fabric colors coupled with a frame in anything but silver.
So what do YOU think about these new trends?
Amy Tanathorn researches the best baby strollers at Stroller Envy, where you can read in-depth reviews for UPPAbaby, Baby Jogger, Phil & Teds, Quinny and more. Reviews include video demonstrations, product specs, photos and detailed descriptions.
This is a guest post!
Sometimes you feel like you need eight hands. The kids are craving for your attention and you have to take care about the house at the same time. The dinner is also waiting you to prepare it. Sounds familiar?
I can’t promise you wonders but at least some of this burden can be reduced. There are software apps and tools, browser extensions and mobile apps that can free up a bit of your time. Some will help you organize and not forget important things about your kids, other will help you prevent them from the risks online, and other tools will help you educate or entertain them.
I have collected 10 such apps, tools, and browser extensions for you. These are the ones I like most. And they are all free. So here you go:
CraftFinder connects you to FamilyFun’s library to find ideas for crafts. The crafts can be searched by appropriate kids age, time that each task takes, and occasions (like Easter, Mother day and so on). The app is good although it definitely needs more craft ideas to be added.
Out of Milk Shopping List for Android devices. If trying to remember everything you have to shop for your kids is hard, install this free app on your Android phone and take it with you when going to the store. It also has a pantry list and to-do list all inside.
Due Date Calculator. Planning for another child? This little web-based tool will help you figure out the best dates for conception. And if you are also a mom-blogger, you may want to add the free WordPress plugin to your blog so other moms can check their due dates right there.
Zefty: are your kids going into teen-age soon? It’s time to help them learn more about money and its management. This free web application lets you set up virtual accounts for them, deposit allowances, set limits. This is really unique app built by a single developer, a father of four. I’m sure the need of this app came from his personal experience!
Child Growth Chart Calculator is a little tool showing you how your kids grow compared to others on their age. Don’t get obsessed if your child doesn’t match the averages. If you think the kid growth is very much out of range, consult your doctor.
Cozi goes even further than Out of The Milk app in organizing your family life. In addition to shopping and to-do lists, it has shared family calendar and journal. The app is web based which means you access it through a regular browser from anywhere. There are also free mobile apps for Iphone, Android and BlackBerry.
Name Culture! for Android Devices is a little app that helps you choosing the name of your future baby. Yes, I know your parents want to use their names but this app gives you search by meaning and origin which sometimes can be better way to choose a name than listening to your dad. And this way you may just avoid having arguments with your mother in law too.
Simple Profanity Filter for Google Chrome. Hopefully you know, the emerging Google’s browser allows you to install extensions and apps which enhance the way you surf the web. If your kids already surf themselves this little extension will take care to reduce the profanity that can be found so easily online. You can configure yourself which words to be filtered and replaced with stars.
MinorMonitor is in the same category of “protecting” apps. It goes into deeper waters – protecting your children on Facebook. MinorMonitor will help you monitor possible drug use, bullying, photos and videos, over-age friends and so on. It’s kind of a spying, I know, but your really need to take care for these things – at least at some reasonable level.
BabyConnect is a large applications tracking a lot of things about your baby. You can keep track of feeding, nursing, diapers, sleep, activities… The web based application (accessible through a browser) is free while the mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices costs $4.99 each. There’s a tremendous work put into it, it’s no surprise BabyConnect got quite a few web awards.
I’m sure being a mother is great but I’m also sure it’s not easy. Fortunately there are developers and companies who put a lot of work into creating great apps that can help you with this. Use them – very often you don’t even need to pay a penny for that. And we, the developers, are happy when we can help.
Bob develops various free software like the due date calculator listed above. You may want to try more of his free calculators here.
Here is the scenario: you are in the grocery store, standing in line with a week of food and supplies for your family. The person in front of you has gotten enough in their cart to either feed their own family for a month, or perhaps just a small army for a couple of days. But what is worse is they have old fashioned coupons for every other item, and they are rifling through an envelope at the speed of a turtle taking a slow walk.
Your child has been very patient thus far, enjoying the ride around in the front of the cart and playing with your keys that you thrust into their hand when this wait began. But they are beginning to get fussy, as children tend to, and you just know tears are on the horizon. This is causing no small amount of stress, as everyone knows how horrible your child crying in public is, and you can almost feel the burn of those future stares from judgmental patrons and staff.
What do you do? Thanks to your iPhone, you keep them busy with any of the interactive and entertaining apps they have available for you to download from the iTunes store.
While there are dozens of apps to choose from in this category, here are what I think are five of the very best, and all for $0.99 or under.
This great app from the folks at Duck Duck Moose is a great interactive song program for toddlers. It plays the original “Wheels on the Bus” with a visual aid, that lets your child sing along.
It has ten versus, so it can get repetitive. But that is just what a child that age loves, and it will be sure to keep them busy for awhile.
A basic match game, your child uses the touch screen to turn over different cards that have the faces of animals like monkeys, cows and dogs.
You match up the pairs and they stay that way while your child works through the different combinations. Simple and classic, and sure to delight any child.
If your kid is still in the stage where they drool more than they speak, you might want to hold off on this one. But otherwise, it is a fantastic game for the little ones.
Your child blows into the microphone section of the iPhone, and it shows a balloon blowing up with each breath. Then, they shake the iPhone and it creates balloon animals and objects, like dinosaurs, sheep and more. Then, they move and make noise, until you pop them with a finger.
A very educational game, your toddler can learn all about shapes using this app. They will learn about each shape using an interactive game, flashcards and quizzes. Each has a full voice over to explain in the simplest detail what everything is.
It uses positive reinforcement and little rewards to make them proud of their learning. This one gets a high approval rating from many preschool teachers and parents alike.
Similar to those lift-tab storyboard books that little kids adore, this app is an interactive game that let’s your child explore a barn to find various animals, such as cows, chickens and sheep. It is fairly basic, with cartoons, sounds and a written version of each word. Which makes it nice and simple for them to use and enjoy.
Chances are, you have a couple of apps your children enjoy. What are some of your (and their) favorites? Let us know in the comments.
This is a guest product review post from Amy Tanathorn over at Stroller Envy. Thanks for sharing these great peeks into the new year Amy!
To stay competitive in the mid- to higher-end stroller market, baby stroller brands must change and grow every year. Designers add exciting new colors, marketers stay on top of trends and engineers add more features for an overall delightful product interaction.
Today we’re going to look at four manufacturers to see what they have in store for us next year. Put your seat belt on because you’re going to be blown away. I’m really excited for 2012. Let’s read on…
Cruz
Some parents find that they don’t want or need a bassinet, but still like the reversing seat of convertible strollers. The UPPAbaby Cruz is a simpler version of the Vista that does not come with a bassinet and is a bit of a smaller stroller weighing only 19 pounds. The Cruz is very easy to fold and has a large storage basket.
Available in red, blue, yellow and black, the Cruz can use the same accessories as the Vista like the parent cup holder.
Two new Baby Jogger strollers are geared up to hit the stores early next year
City Mini GT
Introducing the City Mini GT available March 2012! The City Mini GT has better, more enhanced features than the City Mini like a bigger seat with more depth and more firm padding for proper posture and support. Bigger kids will feel comfy in this stroller and it can carry up to 65 pounds, 15 pounds more than the City Mini .
Next the wheels have been redesigned to be more rugged and are 1/2″ larger. The “Ever-Air” wheels have the feel of an air filled tire, but you don’t have to worry about punctures or leaks and they don’t weigh as much as air-filled.
Another improvement is easier access to the basket with a u-shaped H-bar, which addresses previous consumer complaints. Previous models blocked the storage basket with the frame’s bar above the rear axle, but with it dipped down now, access is easy. Nice going, Baby Jogger!
I like the automatic frame lock that holds the stroller together once it is folded. More features include an adjustable handlebar and a handle bar brake instead of foot pedal brake. I’ve used the hand brakes on Baby Jogger strollers before and they are easy to use, though you have to get used to not using your foot!
The City Mini GT comes in the doubles version, replacing the City Elite Double next year, and will come in yellow, green, orange and black.
Versa
This is a new lightweight 4-wheeled stroller with a reversing seat and large storage basket. It is like a scaled down version of the City Select, except it is a single only and does not convert to a double.
The Versa has a multi-position reclining seat and a unique fold where you don’t take out the seat – you fold the seat in half first, then fold down the frame. Nice and compact, fold with the seat facing inward or outward.
Promenade
Comparable with the Baby jogger City Select, the Promenade is the most premium product in the Phil and Teds line to date. Available by January 2012, the Promenade features a reversing seat that can fold into a bassinet-like bed and can take a car seat. Add a second seat with the bassinet/bed function.
Each seat holds 33 lbs. and is a great stroller for twins. The Promenade has an easy, compact fold with frame latch and unfolding is automatic and effortless.
Moodd
I’m really excited about this unique looking stroller new from Quinny. Available in February 2012, the Moodd is a lightweight stroller with a reversing seat and adjustable footrest. It has a remarkable T-bar-shaped removable bumper bar that kind of reminds me of a kid’s carnival ride and that says FUN.
Another fun design aspect of the Quinny Moodd is all the available seat and frame color combinations. This three-wheeled stroller has a front rubber tire and rear foam tires for easy maintenance.
Unlike many reversing seat strollers, this one has a reclining seatback only. And the Moodd has an easy fold with auto-lock and like the Quinny Buzz, it unfolds itself. Nice!
It looks like 2012 is gearing up to be an exciting time to be in the market for a new stroller! Which one interests you?
Amy Tanathorn researches the best baby strollers at Stroller Envy, where you can read in-depth reviews for UPPAbaby, Baby Jogger, Phil & Teds, Quinny and more. Reviews include video demonstrations, product specs, photos and detailed descriptions.
The fall season is the perfect time to catch up on reading. The slower pace just after the activity filled summer and just before the hectic holiday months makes for ‘me’ time that you might not otherwise have to spare. So here is a list of a few books to add to your reading list that are in no particular order:
Do you have a loved book? Tell us about it!
