Losing weight and getting into shape can be tough. That's why Leah Segedie, creator of the site Bookieboo, has come up with a great new concept to help one winner lose weight (and keep it off!) with the help of trained professionals. Mamavation is a social experiment and weight loss campaign that offers the chance for one overweight mom to change her life and create a healthy lifestyle for herself and her family. The winner will be supplied with a team of the usual suspects - personal trainers, coaches, and a cheerleading squad comprised of fit mamas that know what it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle. What's not so usual, though, is that this whole contest will based on Twitter, making social media the next step in just about everything!

If the winner is successful in her weight loss goals she becomes even more of a winner with a long list of prizes including a nekFIT, a Creative Labs Vado in pink, one pair of Earth Footwear, Baby Banz $65 gift certificate, We Are Girls Who Like to Run childrens book, Joggermom $50 gift certificate, pair of Puma col sox, one EA Sports Active, ChaLEAN Extreme set11 and new Releases: Turbo Kick FAN AND Hip Hop Hustle FAN. Whew! That sure would keep me motivated! But aside from all the fabulous prizes, she'll have the fans of Bookieboo cheering her on and offering moral support. So if you've got some weight to lose log on to Twitter and do it in style!

Lyss Stern is one chic mama! Not only is the the gorgeous mother of two fabulous little boys (Oliver, 2 and Jackson, 5), she's the driving force behind the website Divalysscious Moms, the most coveted mommy database in NYC with more than 125,000 names on her mailing list. But she doesn't stop there. This past April her book, IF YOU GIVE A MOM A MARTINI…100 ways to find 10 Blissful Minutes for Yourself, co-authored with Julie Klappas, debuted and is filled with ingenious tips from high-profile mothers from around the country on how to relax in just 10 minutes. Lyss is also the proud owner of a terrific sense of style and a wicked sense of humor. We caught up with her to see how she does it all, and looks fabulous to boot!

OCM: You clearly are a creative spirit with not only a family but a very full plate. What's your secret to keeping a little balance in your life?
LS: As the owner of Divalysscious Moms and the mother of two young sons I am frequently asked how I balance motherhood with owning my own business. The key ingredient for running a business and being the mother of children under the age of 5 is organization. While every working woman has her own recipe for success, here is my "Mommy Entrepreneur Recipe For Organization.”

1. Your Children Come First. That means that any email and phone call can and will come after the children are happy and settled in. With today's technology, it seems that everything is urgent; however your children's well-being comes first. Most importantly, your children need to feel secure.

2. Prioritize. Make sure that your work can be done early in the morning before the children wake up. Yes, that means sometimes waking up at 4:30am to finish work (of course you'll need a large cup of coffee!)

3. Have a routine. Having breakfast with the children and taking my older son to school in the morning are crucial aspects of my daily life. Dinner, bath time, and bedtime are also extremely important for my children and for me. I try my best to put down the Blackberry and eat with the children, bathe them, read to them, and spend quality time with them before bed.

4. Have a “Mommy Time Out”. Moms that run their own businesses also need to take a few minutes out of their busy day for themselves. I have a strong philosophy that if mom isn't happy then the children won't be happy. Take ten minutes to meditate, look through a magazine, or even take ten minutes to phone a friend. This time will rejuvenate you and allow you a much needed break.

5. Delegate. Always remember that being a mom and a business owner gives you the right to delegate the work. This means surrounding yourself with a great support team comprised of positive people who have high energy. Make sure these are people that you can trust and people that can help you. It's always better to ask, then to be completely overwhelmed.

OCM: Your book "If You Give a Mom a Martini..." is full of clever ways for us moms to carve a few minutes out of our days just for ourselves. But how to you carve out time for beauty?
LS: I must admit I do make time for my beauty routine. Once a week I go to my hairdresser Eugene - we're so close that I call him my "brother". While I am getting my hair blown out I also get a manicure while I am in the chair. To me it's all about doing everything you can at once and maximize the time you have. If I need to get my eyebrows done then I'll also make sure that I do my errands in that part of the city that morning. Again all about saving time.

OCM: What does your morning beauty routine look like?
LS: It's fun being the only "girl" in my house. I think my boys look at me like I am an alien from outerspace in the mornings. My daily morning beauty routine is quite fun. After I take a shower, I put in my rollers and make the boys breakfast, they love waffles with oranges. Then I usually do my makeup, 123 ( a little blush, mascara and lipgloss) while the boys are watching Noggin. Then it's off to take the boys to school, and I am off to work.

OCM: As the the Lifestyle Correspondent for Cookie Magazine you have access to all the best new products, trends and styles. What are your favorite beauty products and fashion trends at the moment?
LS: A dear friend just introduced me to Dr. Brandt's products and I am addicted to them. I also love my Crème de la Mer and Rodin Olio oil for night. Fashion trend - that's a hard one - I definitely love this Bohemian Chic trend thats going on. I am loving my Prada Butterfly sunglasses and, of course, my Havianas flip flops for every day.

OCM: Can you give us your best tips to keep busy moms looking chic?
LS: Busy moms everywhere take note. Just because you're a mom does not mean that you should not be chic. In fact, now that you're a busy mom this is the time to look and feel the best that you can be from the inside out. A Divalysscious Mom is a woman who feels even sexier, stronger and more gorgeous AFTER she has a baby; a woman who understands that loving your child doesn’t mean losing yourself, and that being a mom is the most fabulous time of your life.

OCM: Anything else you'd like to share with us?
LS: I Love telling how Divalysscious Moms, the name for my company, came to be. The name started with the word delicious. A friend used it to describe something I did and it just clicked. Delicious + Lyss. Then when I was thinking about what I wanted to do for moms, I realized that planning for them was not simply about giving them something to do but is about making moms realize how amazing they are. Like they are stars, celebrities, divas, and Divalysscious Moms wants to make moms feel special.

Ever lost your favorite pair of earrings when you took them off at the pool, or while having your hair done? Store them in a Gemvelope ($25 - $45) and you’ll know exactly where you put them! Gemvelopes are cute little fabric envelopes designed to stash your jewelry whether you’re having your nails done, going swimming or packing for vacation. Designed with a special cushion for stud earrings, a strap for rings and necklaces and a pocket for bracelets, there’s a place for everything. Gemvelope's compact size allows you to keep one in your purse for convenience, or tuck several into your suitcase for your next trip.

Have you ever intended to sort through your stuff with the hopes of letting some of it go only to find that you've just discovered buried treasures? Suddenly everything seems useful, sentimental, valuable and practical.

You haven't worn this watch since 1997 but hey, it still works. You loved your white water rafting vacation last summer, why not hold onto the brochure to remember all the good times? You put so much energy into researching and purchasing your new digital camera, how could you possibly think about recycling the box?

As soon as we make an emotional connection to these kind of items or even experience a little memory relating to it, they instantly embody all the qualities you once enjoyed and their current uselessness is easily overlooked.

To ensure you don't confuse your treasures with fool's gold, ask yourself the following question: What's more important to me right now, keeping this item or simplifying my environment and creating some new space? Go ahead… let it go.

Space-taculary,
Erica
The Spacialist
212.924.4383

* Pick up this month's InStyle magazine with Michelle Pfeiffer on the cover. Turn to pages 174 and 176 to learn tips to organize your photos, edit your snap-shots and then show them off with contributing ideas and tips from the Spacialist!

Today is going to be like Friday for many of us, with tomorrow being an unofficial holiday in preparation for July 4th on Saturday. What do you have planned? Something fun, I hope. I'll be heading to the beach later today to spend a long weekend with my family at our getaway in Pawley's Island, SC. We've been going there for years and really do love it. It's close enough to everything to feel civilized, yet far enough from the strip to feel like a getaway. We love to get crab cakes from the Crab Lady Co. (she catches the crabs herself!) and fry them up at home, take in the scenery of Brookgreen Gardens and just soak in the sound of the waves on the beach while the kids build sand castles.

To celebrate Indepedence Day whatever you have planned you can show your colors with stars and stripes. It's cute for the little ones to wear red, white and blue clothing emblazoned with flags and other motifs, but if you're looking for a more sophisticated way to wear it I have some great suggestions.

Try topping off a blue dress with a white sweater, short-sleeved cardigan or even a belt. Add a pair of red platforms or sandals for a pretty summer look that shows your patriotism.

Top classic American blue denim shorts with a red and white striped top. Team with a cute pair of wedges and some pretty gold star earrings.

Pull on a blue and white top with a red skirt for a chic take on our nation's colors.

Add a red and white bag, scarf or necklace and you've got a look perfect for the 4th of July.

If you need a soundtrack for your get-together or to listen to while watching fireworks, here are a few suggestions:

“4th of July,” by the Beach Boys
“Sparkler,” by Fivecrown
“Burnt by the Sun,” by David Byrne
“Fireworks,” by Plain White Ts
“Long Weekend,” by Rubyhorse
“Popsicle,” by Talking Heads
“Freedom,” by Akon
“Red, White and Blue,” by Robert Plant
“Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer,” by Nat King Cole
“Traffic,” by Stero MCs
“4th of July,” by X

Playlist courtesy of mSpot.com.

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Along with warmer weather comes lighter and more revealing clothing, but you don’t have to sacrifice modesty for the sake of cooling off. Keep your headlights under cover with Boob-eez reusable headlight concealers that'll set you back just $12 - $15. Made from a durable silicon material backed by a washable adhesive, Boob-eez allow for multiple uses and easy care without straps, adhesive or elastic. Wear Boob-eez with or without a bra. Their super thin edge makes them virtually undetectable under workout wear, clothing or swimwear.

Have you ever tried to jam an inch or two of paper into a manila folder, only to find that the papers peak up so high they block the title that you just wrote on the tab?

If so, this Space Treat is for you!

Maybe you've noticed, or maybe you haven't, but the manila folder has ridged horizontal lines (usually about 2-5 of them) across the bottom inch of the folder.

Fold at these nifty ridged lines and create a "box bottom" which better accommodates these wider chunks of paper without blocking the view of the tab.

Space-taculary,
Erica
The Spacialist
212.924.4383

As summer abounds chances are you’ll find yourself seaside or swimming in the pool at least a handful of times. Protect your skin with Coppertone’s newest line of skincare products called NutraShield. Enriched with antioxidants that help to repair skin NutraShield can prevent premature aging. NutraShield Faces has an SPF of 70 and is perfect for putting on each morning to protect your delicate skin from even the most casual exposure. When you’ll be directly in the sun, try NutraShield with an SPF of 30 or 70, also infused with nourishing antioxidants to help keep your skin looking good while protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays. These latest Coppertone formulas are hypoallergenic and waterproof/water resistant, and will help you make the most of your summer fun. Find Coppertone NutraShield line at grocery stores, drug stores and mass merchants for $10.49 each.

A few months ago we reviewed the book Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-be, full of fabulous drink recipes formulated just for the expectant mama and her friends. We were immediately smitten with this book, filled to the brim with some of the most delicious (and dare we say, creative) recipes for drinks I've heard of, either with or without alcohol. So what else to do but round up a couple of copies to help you celebrate your summer in style?

Whether you're planning a baby shower, hosting a summer dinner party or just relaxing with friends, you'll enjoy whipping up a batch of Madras Mia's or Minty Mango Coolers for a tall glass of sophisticated refreshment. Sip away your summer in style!

Win It
We're giving two winners a copy of the book Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-be. To enter just leave your name and tell us about your favorite cocktail (or mocktail). Deadline is Midnight, EST, July 5, 2009.

As a mom, doing laundry just comes with the job. So when someone comes along and says they can help to streamline the process I'm all ears. As simple as it seems, taking the time to measure detergent and fabric softener for the washer can be a pain. I already feel as if I have to sneak away from the kids just to throw a load in, but by the time I measure and pour they're yelling for me or just being naughty. What's a busy mom of 2 energetic kids to do?

This is where Purex Complete 3-in-1 comes in. Cleverly designed as a laundry sheet this multi-tasker helps to simplify the laundry and save moms what they need most - time and money. Made with just the right amount of detergent and fabric softener and anti-static ingredients to go from the washer right into the dryer, Purex Complete 3-in-1 helps to make laundry less of a hassle, and something you can even get the kids to help with! That's something we all could use.

Visit Purex.com to download a $1 off coupon and enter the sweepstakes to win $1000 or a year's supply of Purex Complete 3-in-1.

I know what it's like to be big and tall, trust me. My last name may be Little but there is nothing "little" about me (or anyone in my family, for that matter). When I was growing up I spent a lot of time on the heavy side, but always managed to stay inside the range of "regular" juniors or women's sizes without having to venture into the plus sizes. However, I know many women, relatives included, who are big and beautiful and find shopping for chic clothing and shoes in sizes above a 12 or 10 respectively, challenging, to say the least. Yet women of all sizes deserve to look beautiful and several lines want to make sure they have a wonderful selection when it comes time to shop. Here are some chic picks that keep women of all sizes looking lovely.

Just because women have a few extra pounds on their frames does not mean they should be relegated to wearing the equivalent of sack dresses. Quite the contrary - they should show off their shape with clothing that really fits and flatters their curves, making the most of what they have. So we just love the selection offered by Forever 21's spin off line, Faith 21. Full of flattering, curve-hugging styles that gracefully skim the body, these well-priced separates are perfect for big and beautiful gals.

Rachel Pally is a hip LA designer known for her sophisticated line of knit tops, dresses and more that are as comfy as can be. Worn by the likes of Angelina and other celebs, Rachel Pally has made her mark in the fashion world. When she launched her line of plus sized clothing, you can bet it made a big splash. Try her sexy maxi dresses, tops cut to flatter and breezy jackets when you want a little more coverage.

Designer Kathryn Kerrigan didn't always want to be a designer. She set out for law school, but after becoming frustrated because she couldn't readily find shoes to fit her size 11 foot, re-routed her career with a degree in business and set up shop designing chic, European shoes made to fit sizes 6 up to a 15. With an eye for detail Kathryn Kerrigan makes plus-sized footwear that doesn't just fit, but really fills the bill when it comes to a woman's need for style. Sure, she creates the basics in gorgeous Italian leathers and other materials. But she also indulges a woman's sense of whimsy with her unique touches such as the lovely flower above.

Whatever your size, let your personal style show through. When you express your personality through your clothing it's like showing the world who you really are!

Do you have a signature color? Do you think you need one? Finding a signature color is all about finding out more about yourself and expressing your personal style. I love all colors but my signature colors is red. I have red boots that I wear with just about everything when it's cool outside, and red patent sandals that give a surprise pop when worn with a black and white dress, my white jeans and a teal top or just my dark denim and black. I usually wear my red belt and add a touch of red somewhere in my accessories. In the language of fashion feng shui my element is fire, and red is the color of fire. Also, my dosha is pitta, or also fire. So red has always been my color but only in the past few years has it become my signature color. When I wear it I feel unstoppable!

Finding a signature color that you wear every day is an easy way to add color to your wardrobe and spice up your more neutral pieces, without becoming overwhelmed with color.

Your signature color could be:

A color that relates to your personal coloring:
• your eye color, or your hair color, for example
• Try wearing colors opposite of your coloring (on the color wheel) to find those shades that make your hair, skin or eyes really pop

One of your favorite colors in a shade that is flattering to you:
• A vivid red or bold yellow if you have dark, clear coloring
• A mustard or chartreuse if you have an olive skintone
• A periwinkle if you have fair skin, hair and eyes

A color that relates to your style personality:
• Are you outgoing and dynamic? Go for a bold shade like red or violet.
• Are you reserved? A subtle sage green or soft blue would set you apart without drawing attention to you.
• Are you romantic? Try shades of pink, mauve and lavender.
• For a classic look, it’s hard to beat navy blue.

Once you have one, add it in where you can. It can become almost like a neutral, one that you wear with everything. Wear it in jewelry, in shoes, in tops and coats. It can be empowering, helping to connect you more to yourself. When you wear your signature color it can also be very comforting and help to ground you. It can be a sense of security, when you feel nothing looks good on you, you can always rest assured that your signature color won't let you down. Before you select one it may be helpful to consult a stylist to ensure you're selecting a shade that is great for you. Once you have one, make it yours in your own unique way and show your true colors to the world!

I was smitten with Noodles & Co. before I even set foot inside the door. I had been lucky enough to receive not only a buy-one-get-one coupon, but a nutritional guide that gave me the low-down on all the dishes. Could this really be true? A restaurant that served up healthy dishes that were all based around one of my favorites - noodles? As it turns out, yes, it could be true. Noodles & Co. serves up a wide variety of dishes ranging from Mac and Cheese to Pad Thai, and most are what I would consider to be fairly healthy. Apparently, I’m not the only one. Noodles & Co. made Health magazine’s top 10 healthiest food chains list with a proud ranking of number 4. Started in 1995 by Aaron Kennedy, Noodles & Co. was created with the goal of offering the best noodle dishes from around the world on one menu. It took the form of a fast, fresh and wholesome noodle shop and 14 years later they're growing by leaps and bounds.

What makes Noodles & Co. so good is that each of it's global dishes is prepared to order using pasta, veggies, fresh herbs and spices, their tasty (and not too heavy) artisan sauces along with chicken, beef, shrimp or organic tofu. With simple noodle bowls like mac and cheese or noodles with marinara for the kids, and dishes that cater to a more discerning palate such as Pad Thai or Tuscan Linguine, there's something for everyone. The average price for and entree is $7, and they come out quick as a wink so the kids don't have time to get bored. To make your child's meal more healthy, ask for a side of broccoli (just $.75!), add some organic milk and you're set.

Here's what I say: Eat more noodles!

* Don't just take my word for it, see for yourself. Take a peek at the nutritional information for Noodles & Co. and you'll see that, while there are a couple of chart-topping numbers, the majority of entrees weigh in at a reasonable level of fat and calories.

Win It
We're giving three winners a $25 gift card to Noodles & Co. (that'll just about cover a family of 4). To enter simply leave us a comment and give us your tips for dining out with kids, or your favorite perk for kids when eating out. Keep it short and sweet, please. Deadline is Midnight, EST, July 3rd.

For Spring and Summer 2009 there are some very wearable trends. One of the season's biggest trends is color, which in its own right is not usually referred to as a trend. Yet with the state of the economy one of the best ways to lift our moods without spending a lot on new clothes is to add some color to our usual wardrobe of black, black and more black. But aside from color, some of the best trends are those that are easiest to wear at all ages. These are my picks for top ten trends of the season for women at any age. But bear in mind, my best piece of advice for adopting trends is to ignore the trends and trust your own instincts when it comes to what works for you. Only you and your personal stylist know what that is (and perhaps a close friend or two).

1. Nudes and Neutrals – This season skintones have replaced black as the go-with-everything hue. Pair them with each other or use them as a backdrop for the season’s hottest hues. When you wear your skintone your complexion will look luminous and radiant. Try metallic nudes and neutrals for an edgy update. Patent and pearlized finishes and sequins, once reserved for just for evening, now impart a chic look for daytime and can enhance the natural highlights in your hair.

2. Color – Color is huge for spring and never has there been a better time to wear it. It lifts our mood and makes us happy – who couldn’t use that about now? Whether you opt for bright citrus hues, pinks, blues or greens, wearing the shade that best suits your own personal coloring (instead of matching the Pantone chip that’s “in”) will give you the most flattering look for the season. The right colors will make you look vibrant while the wrong colors can make you look ill. Try neutrals with a pop of your favorite candy colored bright!

3. Statement Jewelry – Big, bold necklaces, chandelier earrings, bib necklaces, an armload of bangles and statement handbags are everywhere for spring. But remember that you want to wear the accessory, not let the accessory wear you. Keep your scale and proportion in mind when selecting your adornments and remember that less is more.

4. Romantic – Whether you prefer understated ruffles, floral prints or an overall bohemian look, you’ve got your choice of romantic options this season. Pile it or wear just one romantic item to make the look truly your own.

5. Military Inspired Jackets – A Trench Coat in a spring weight is a must-have this season. Opt for a loose, slouchy trench in a neutral linen or a more crisp look in a bold hue and you’ve got a versatile piece that brings your wardrobe up to the minute. The Cropped Military Jacket, often called the Sergeant Pepper Jacket makes a return for spring. With a sharply tailored fit and subtle embellishment on the front, the style serves as a fun alternative to a jean jacket or blazer.

6. Bold Shoes – Keep your clothing simple and let your shoes speak volumes about who you are! The season’s hottest looks include:
• Gladiator sandals - These have been in the spotlight since last year and are a perennial favorite for some. Available in all heel heights and everything from neutrals, to skins to brights, gladiators are most flattering on women who have narrow ankles. If you have thick ankles or calves, steer clear of this style and opt for something with a more open throat to elongate your legs.
• Beaded, Tribal and Ornamentation - Plain shoes are a thing of the past. This season is all about adornment and your feet are where it's at! Try a pair of sandals, flats or pumps with beads, fringe, intricate weaving or other eyecatching additon
• Metallics, skins - Try a pair of sexy metallic sandals to spark up your look, or a loafer in a skin for a new twist on a classic look. Anything with texture or shine, including patent leather, is all the rage for the season.
• Pop of Color - Your shoes don't have to match your outfit - why not try a sassy pair of blue wedges with your saucy yellow dress? Or give your neutrals a boost with a pair of orange and fuchsia flats? Mix it up and keep your look exciting, but try not to go overboard.
• Wedges - A wedge is an easy to wear style that combines the best of a heel and a flat. Look for wedges in sandal, closed toe and peep-toe styles to go with your dresses, skirts and cropped trousers this season.

7. Graphic and Color Block Prints – Think architectural black and white prints and colorful, geometrically inspired patterns. Look for playful polka dots too. Try these in dresses, tops, jewelry or even a trench coat.

8. Short Sleeved or Sleeveless Jackets – A great way to add that third layer while keeping your cool. The vest jacket creates a polished look that’s perfect for warm weather. Think SJP in Sex and the City movie (her lovely long green sleeveless jacket).

9. Mix-and-Match Patterns - Designers put patterns together in unexpected ways this season. To pull off this kooky-cool style without looking crazy, take cues from Michael Kors and stick to patterns that share the same hues. Use one pattern as your focal point while allowing the others to play second fiddle and serve as a backdrop.

10. Strong Shoulders - Strong shoulders may conjure up images of Alexis Carrington and power suits from the 80’s, but can also bring a very updated feel to your jackets, dresses and tops. This is a great look to give sloping or small shoulders more definition, but if you already have broad shoulders you may want to skip the shoulder pads. This look can be very slimming and helps to create balance for those with a few extra pounds around the middle. If you have a large chest, be careful with emphasizing the shoulders – you may draw unwanted attention to other areas as well.

As the weather heats up so does our perspiration level. This is true not only for our bodies but our feet as well. Keep your feet smelling fresh while keeping up with your daily workouts with Airplus: Coolmax Performance Insoles. Designed especially for women these beathable insoles help to manage moisture where we need it most. Tuck these in your running shoes, your summer flats or any closed-toe shoes to keep your feet odor-free and feeling fresh. Airplus: Coolmax Performance Insoles offer breathable foam protection for your feet as well as antimicrobal protection against odor-causing bacteria. Find them at your local Rite Aid stores for $15.99 per pair.
Stylist Tara Swennan offers up tips to help your feel keep their cool this summer:

Solutions to Avoiding Blisters
The key to avoiding blisters and rubbing is to minimize friction and moisture. Try rubbing baby powder between your toes or on your heels before leaving the house or place moleskin around the inner toe area of the thong.

Solutions for Flat Sandals
To make flats such as gladiators more foot and back friendly add full pads that simultaneously cushion the heel and ball of foot. My Footprints by ‘Airplus for Her’ come in fun, colorful prints such as leopards or polka dots.

Solutions for Strappy Sandals
Many people become uncomfortable in killer strappy high heels due to the lack of arch support. ‘Airplus for Her’ makes a gel insert that adheres to the shoe and helps in creating that needed support while being virtually invisible to onlookers.

Solutions for Sling Back Sandals
The best trick for slippery sling backs is ‘Airplus For Her’ Strappies. They are thin adhesive strips that you can place on the inside of the heel strap to help them stay on.

Quick, where do you go when you're looking for the perfect vacation spot with kids, a sunscreen that doesn't smell or tips on losing weight while nursing? Why, Mamapedia, oc course! Chock full of tips and tidbits geared towards mothers with kids of all agaes, Mamapedia is a veritable encyclopedia for moms on just about everything. With free information to moms from other moms, Mamapedia is a community that answers your questions (no matter how embarrassing, weird, etc) and gives you real answers. So next time you have questions try Mamapedia.

Butterflies are an ever-present motif in fashion during warm weather. And why not? These lovely creatures fill us with delight at their mere appearance and their brightly hued wings. My son loves to watch butterflies and is mesmerized when he sees one. Perhaps he realizes that it started life out as just a caterpillar, then went on to blossom into the beautiful creature it is now.

Butterflies are symbolic of metamorphosis making them the perfect symbol for women. We are constantly reinventing ourselves, becoming better and more beautiful with age. So why not add a butterfly or two to your wardrobe and let it fill those around you with delight!

Items shown here:
1. This pretty Butterfly Tee has a homespun feel and looks great paired with shorts or a denim skirt($10).

2. Add a touch of elegance to your outfit with this silver butterfly ring ($198).

3. Carry your belongings in a Kate Landry Butterfly Tote($59) for a chic take on a practical tote.

4. Pin on this gorgeous butterfly brooch ($173) and watch your outfit take flight!

5. How can you not look glamorous in these lovely Prada Butterfly Sunglasses ($245)?

6. An ethereal butterfly print scarf ($9) takes your tees to a whole new level.

7. This colorful Butterfly Tote ($59) makes shopping even more fun!

8. jade butterfly earrings (12 GBP) add a subtle sophistication to your most casual of looks.

Our teenage years are meant to be enjoyed. Sure, there's high school, homework and college applications to think about. But the rest of the time is usually spent texting friends, shopping for the hottest trends and having crushes. Sometimes those crushes turn into boyfriends. And sometimes pregnancy is the result.

For the first time in 15 years teenage pregnancy is on the rise. Over the past year ABC has followed four families who are dealing with teen pregnancies and all of its consequences and airs a documentary tackling this difficult topic: Primetime: Family Secrets that airs on Tuesday, June 23rd at 10pm EST.

Along with following pregnant teens and hearing the reality of how teenage pregnancy really changes things, two different schools of thought regarding talking to kids about sex. There's the abstinence approach and there's the approach that assumes that kids are going to have sex. Not a lot of happy medium, I know, but two very different extremes. Perhaps we should stress moderation and see what happens? Just my two cents worth.

I plan to watch this because, even though my daughter's only 6, I realize that in our culture kids are having sex and becoming sexually aware WAY before they're in their teens. With all I've read about kids (yes, kids) sending pics of themselves naked to friends of the opposite sex, and propositions initiated by girls (did you see Oprah a few weeks ago?), I realize that things have changed a LOT since I was a teen and I want to be as prepared as possible. This is an important subject and the more parents can do to educate ourselves and our children, the more decisions will be made that aim toward a hopeful future.

Let's face it, summer is a time when we shed our cozy winter cocoons and bare it all (or so it seems). Short shorts, bikinis, even our one-piece swimsuits don't leave that much to the imagination these days, so keeping ourselves well groomed becomes much more important. Remember that scene in the movie "Sex and the City" when Miranda dons her swimsuit, hat and heels, only to be ridiculed by Samantha for her unwieldy and wildly exposed pubes? Well, let's just take that as a hint for what not to sport when we hit the beach, the lake or the pool.

But don't despair. If you're on a budget or just feeling a bit modest, you can take care of your personal grooming in the privacy of your own home. READYbetty is a handy little personal grooming kit that was developed by a chemist and is a safe hair remover with a fresh, clean scent. With hints of peach, lavender and rose and a special fragrance ingredient that blocks the sulphor smell typical of most cream hair removers, READYbetty also has a sweet conditioning complex and moisturizer to prevent irritation.

With fun charmcils you can show your true colors with a hear shape, a flower and more, or you can just give yourself a basic bikini wax that keeps everything under wraps.

The full READYbetty kit includes:

· NEW Bettybare cream hair remover
· Popular charmcils in eight special stencil shapes
· Small scissors
· Special trimmer tool

Find READYbetty for $14.99 at Duane Reade and Bed Bath & Beyond stores as well as select spas and salons.

Win It!

One winner will receive a READYbetty kit to help keep themselves swimsuit ready! Just leave us a comment and tell us if you currently wax, shave or use other methods to keep your pubes in check. Deadline is Midnight, June 28.

* Congrats to our winner, Elizabeth J.

For years high-end designers have been collaborating with budget stores to make good design more affordable and available to the masses. I, for one, am a huge fan of this trend. Not only do I desire good design but feel that it's a necessity in our lives. Why should anyone be relegated to plain, basic or just plain ugly anything because they're on a budget?

Fortunately for us there are some wonderful new collaborations coming down the pipeline that will have us jumping for joy. Here's what you can anticipate and start drooling over:

1/ Miley Cyrus and Max Azria of BCBG fame are teaming up to design a collection for Wal-Mart. Made up of tops, tees and accessories, this will keep your budget in line with all pieces coming it at under $20. Your daughters will be drooling before it even

2/ Gap and the CFDA are collaborating on a new line of pieces all in khaki. This utilitarian and universally versatile shade will be crafted into styles by designers Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel, Lisa Mayock, and Sophie Buhai and will feature jackets, cocktail dresses and other upscale khaki items. Priced from $39.50 - $88, this line unfortunately goes up to a size 10. Guess my size 12 body won't be wearing anything from it. *sigh*

3/ This fall get your feet ready because Jimmy Choo will be hitting the budget megastore H and M. On November 14 Jimmy Choo takes H & M by storm with a line of accessories and shoes for both women and men in 250 locations around the world. He'll also create a clothing capsule for women so they can be dressed head to toe in Jimmy Choo. Just make sure you don't wear your Jimmy Choos when you stand in that line. This latest venture comes hot on the heels of H and M’s cheap-chic, sell-out collections by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, and Britain’s ‘Boho King’, Matthew Williamson. I estimate this will last in stores for, what, 4 hours tops? Make your wish list early!

4/ Stella McCartney has proven that she has wings when it comes to design and is bringing her chic styling to a line of clothing for GapKids and babyGap. This sounds lovely but what about us mamas out here? I could sure use a Stella McCartney designed something for myself at Gap prices. How about you?

So keep an eye out for these delightful collaborations coming down the pipeline. Looks like we have some great shopping to look forward to that fits in with a mom's budget!

Know of other collaborations coming up? I'd love to hear about them.