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Are you new to planning travel with kids in tow? It can be a daunting experience for even the most worldly globe-trotter. One great resource to turn to for help in planning a memorable vacation or just a weekend getaway for the entire family is kidscantravel.com. Kidscantravel.com offers some useful suggestions for planning your next trip, and ways to get your kids involved. They provide readers with unbiased information on destinations and activities are, along with practical tips, tools and advice to help make traveling with kids of all ages a great opportunity and a wonderful experience. With the help of kidscantravel.com, you can plan your next family vacation with confidence!
Consider adding an entry into your cell phone called ICE. This stands for "in case of emergency" and is something that rescue teams look for so they know who to notify in case you become incapacitated (in an auto accident, for example). Don't forget to include your area code for those times you travel out of town. Help give rescue workers a leg up on knowing how to contact your spouse, partner or loved ones and help make a potentially bad situation a little easier.
Posted May 23, 2007.
You’re on the road, logging hundreds of miles. You remembered the camera, the sunscreen, the baby bottles. Uh-oh. You forgot the sippy cup, and your toddler’s in need of some water. What to do? Pull into the nearest Circle K or Seven-Eleven and grab a BabySport water bottle nipple adapter along with a bottle of water. For a couple of bucks a pop, the BabySport lets you put a nipple from his bottle onto a standard bottle of water, so your toddler can safely drink without a deluge. Problem solved.
All stroller bags are not created equal. The good folks at Fleurville know this, so they set out to create one that fits the needs of your mobile family, while also being eco-minded. The Mobi Stroller Bag is the 'cleanest', lightest bag they have ever made. It's also the most eco-friendly stroller bag around. The Mobi is made from a product called Re-Run™ which is created using recycled plastic water bottles. Each bag keeps 8 water bottles out of the landfill. Yet for all it's eco-minded prowess, the Mobi is long on practicality too.
With little touches like a fleece-lined electronics/sunglasses pocket, an ‘ear-bud pass-thru’ badge and 5 interior pockets keep your necessities protected, the Mobi will serve both parents and children well. The majority of storage is located inside the bag and is easily accessed via a huge opening with double zippers. There is a single padded handle for easy opening and visibility into the bag. For frequently used or odd-sized items like bottles and umbrellas (or baguettes), they built 2 external shock-cord lacing systems that allow quick access and extra storage. And the under $70 price tag makes it more affordable than you thought. Save the planet and have it all? I think so!
Posted May 16, 2007
If you’re gearing up for your summer vacation but haven’t had time to perfect your summer tan, don’t worry. The new beaded bronzing lotion with DHA-based self-tanner, sunburst body from tarte, will get you set! Its all natural, innovative formula is easy to use, and is perfect for first timers. It moisturizes while it tans your skin and immediately delivers color to create a sun-kissed glow. Using a buildable color that can be customized according to your complexion, sunburst body works well on a wide variety of skin tones. Available at Sephora ($28).
Are you a devotee of Crocs, the popular shoe that is so ugly that it's, well, cute? Well, now you can diversify your Crocs wardrobe because they have added some great new styles for summer. The Cleo is a hip, modern flop that mixes style with comfort. It has a double cushioned sole to offer your feet support all day, and circulation nubs to stimulate blood flow. The footbed conforms to your foot shape to ensure comfort, whether you're taking a walking tour or lounging by the pool.
Another new style from Crocs is the Sassari, a sleek retro inspired wedge designed with the classic comfort of croslite™ material. The Sassari comes in several modern, colorful two-tone combinations, and has the same great attributes as the Cleo. These will look fabulous with your new swimsuit, and since they're slip-resistant, will keep you on solid footing while you chase your toddler around the pool.
Aside from their durability, being bacteria and odor resistant and having slip-resistant soles, you now have several more reasons to add a pair of Crocs to your summer wardrobe. Available at www.crocs.com.
Posted May 9, 2007.
Sephora has just introduced a new lipstick from Cargo that not only looks good on your lips, but treads lightly on the ecosystem as well. PlantLove Botanical Lipstick has the first-ever 100% bioegradable tube is made from a corn-derived polymer, and the box is made from a flower paper that sprouts wildflowers when planted. The lipstick itself is a botanical blend that nourishes your lips and comes in five great shades. And to top it all of, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Available at www.sephora.com.
Looking for a new ‘do? Why not give short hair a try? This spring, short, cropped hairstyles for women are all the rage. From pixie cuts to modified bobs, short hair is everywhere. One of the great advantages of short hair is that it can be easy to wear and doesn’t require a lot of styling to look great. So crop off your locks and give yourself a fresh new look for spring. You’ll love the change!
Posted April 19, 2007.
Mmmmm...Garlic bread. Made with real butter, real garlic and really good bread. Both adults and kids find garlic bread hard to resist, and when you make your own flavored butter ahead of time, it's fast and easy too!
One Chic Mama's recent discovery for making really easy, really good garlic bread, is to make flavored butter and keep it on hand for those garlic bread cravings or dinner in a flash. Just soften up some butter (or non-hydrogenated margarine) and add a few pressed cloves of garlic - how much is up to you. Blend well and keep in a sealed container in the fridge. When it comes time to make the garlic bread, simply slice up some bread and spread with your pre-made butter. Place on a baking sheet and run under the broiler until lightly brown and crispy, about 5 - 7 minutes.
Flavored butters are a wonderfully quick way to add an easy and interesting touch to meals. Try making honey butter by blending softened butter with a little honey. It's great with fresh cornbread or warm biscuits, and your kids will love it. For an interesting and savory combination, blend rosemary and garlic. Or try sundried tomatoes (re-hydrated and finely minced) with garlic and some fresh herbs, mixed with softened butter. A pat of one of these atop grilled fish or steak, or tossed with pasta, adds an intriguing layer of flavor and is a great finishing touch. The combinations are endless. And when you make the flavored butters ahead of time, you can store them in the fridge or freezer so that they're ready at the drop of a hat. Spice up your dinners with a little flavor! It's easy when you plan ahead.
Posted Apri 11, 2007.
Diaper Baggies are the new stylish, sanitary, and practical way to contain babies' soiled diapers and clothing when you're on the go. They feature a zip lock closure, and are environmentally friendly - they're made from recycled plastic. The zip lock closure helps to lock in odors and mess, so you have a safe and secure way to stash dirty diapers and clothing in your diaperbag. Diaper Baggies currently come with two cute designs, a flower and a giraffe, with more on the way. Order from HappiBaby.com. They come 40 to a pack and you get a free pack with the purchase of two packs.
 This spring athletic styles are hot and nowhere is this more evident than in shoes. There is a fresh crop of sporty shoes that have the appeal of a casual flat and the comfort of a sneaker, such as the new line of Keds designed by Nanette Lepore. These are not your typical Keds, but cute ballerina flats in leopard print, or a flirty lace layered over canvas in lovely hues and trimmed in sneaker-like rubber. These shoes will take you from the gym, out to luch, and on to running errands without missing a beat. With the design sensibility of reknowned designer Nanette Lepore coupled with the comfort and durability of Keds, you’ve got the makings of a very versatile shoe. Available at www.neimanmarcus.com.
Posted April 4, 2007.
Do you feel as if you spend a good portion of your day just putting things away? I know I do. Especially now that I have children, it seems as if things multiply like rabbits and it becomes more challenging to keep things put away. I spoke with Geralin Thomas of MetropolitanOrganizing.com for some suggestions on how to manage our “stuff” and have a cleaner, more organized home.
Geralin recommends that we limit the amount of things we bring into our homes. It seems that when we have kids, they’re constantly collecting things, such as small toys, stuffed animals, hand-me down toys from the neighbor down the street, etc. Geralin’s suggestion for limiting “stuff” is for a family to pick a number and let that be the “family number”. For example, let’s say your “family number” is 3. This means you would allow yourself 3 stuffed animals per child, 3 pieces of art per child, per semester, 3 tote bags, 3 magazine subscriptions, etc. “Your family number should be related to the size of your home and your lifestyle”, she says. Each family’s home will dictate how much storage space there is and how much “stuff” your home will allow. Picking a family number can also be a game that’s very easy for kids to understand.
Another suggestion for cutting down on clutter is to examine the reasons we hold on to things. Geralin suggests we try to analyze why we keep things that aren’t often used or loved. In her experience, the most common reasons people hang on to things are guilt or fear. If we can overcome our emotions and look at things objectively, we’ll be able to free ourselves from the burden that “stuff” can have on us, and spend our time on something more gratifying than putting it back where it belongs.
Posted March 21, 2007.
A good set of make-up brushes is an easy way to get perfectly applied make-up each time. Having the proper brush for your lips, your eyes, your brows, your cheeks, etc. gives you better control of the application and helps you to keep it where it should be. Yet make-up brushes are often quite pricey. At $15 a pop, the Professional 9 Piece Master Set from www.eyeslipsface.com is a steal. It has the perfect brush for every use. Each of e.l.f.'s brushes have been designed and tested by a professional make-up artist. They are made to fit perfectly in your hand to help create a flawless finish with each use. So treat yourself and make the daily application of make-up a little easier to manage.
 Great news for those of us watching our weight or just trying to eat a little healthier! Vitamuffins and VitaTops from Vitalicious will let you indulge your sweet tooth without breaking the (calorie) bank. These wonderfully rich muffins come in several flavors, including blueberry and deep chocolate, and will leave you feeling full and satisfied. And the good news is that each one is low-calorie, low-fat, and packed with essential daily vitamins and minerals. Individually packaged for portion control, these are great to take with you when you’re on the go. So now you can have your cake and eat it too! Available from Whole Foods Market and at www.vitalicious.com.
Posted March 14, 2007
Just take a moment to listen, to your self, to your family, to your life. What will you hear? Inner chaos or harmony? Whatever it is you hear, take the time out to just stop and listen.
All too often we find ourselves getting so caught up in the day to day, the chaos, the doing rather than the being, that we forget to take time out to really hear what your husband is saying. To really hear your daughter when she asks you a question. To really hear your inner voice guiding you towards your goals. Why is it so easy to rush past things without really listening? Try to slow down and savor each day, to enjoy the simple things in life such as time with friends and family. These things are too often taken for granted.
As mothers, we find ourselves at the center of our families, juggling the housework, meal preparation, shopping, homework, schedules and many more duties. It's challenging to find time to just sit and be with our thoughts. It may seem close to impossible to carve out a few minutes for ourselves, but even if it's just 5 minutes while stuck in traffic, take a few minutes each day to really connect with who you are and what's important to you. It will enrich your day, and if you do it continually, it will enrich your life. Being more connected, more grounded and feeling in touch with those you love will strengthen relationships and give your life more meaning. We'll all be better off for it.
Posted March 7, 2007
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