Save on Paige

Are you a fan of Paige Premium, the denim line created by a former fit model who understands how jeans should fit? This line is made to lift your fanny, slim your hips and thighs and make you look good! Now if only you could find a deal on them! Well, look no further than National Jean Co/Live Natty. Through July 2nd (that's Monday) they're offering 20% off, making it a great time to stock up. You can find shorts or a mini that will keep you looking hot this summer, or go ahead and stock up on a pair of wide leg jeans to get a jump on your look for fall. Either way, you come out ahead!

For Looks That Sizzle...

Is it just me or does my makeup seem to slide off when I head out into the heat? Running around after two kids can sure do that to a mom. Help! What I need is Some Kind-a Gorgeous Foundation Faker from Benefit. This translucent cream-to-powder formula gives a silky, even finsih for your complexion every time. So it's great for touch-ups in 90 degree heat. You'll get an instant boost to your look any time of day. Just blend in with fingertips evenly all over face and you'll look nothing but radiant, not like you're sweltering in the heat.

Benefit offers two free samples with every order, and for free shipping, enter code "FIREWORK" at checkout (oh, deal ends Saturday, 6/30).

Lucky Duck

When I was a kid I loved rubber duckies. Their cute little rubber bodies came in that classic shade of yellow and they were fun little bath toys. Nowadays, the rubber duck has undergone a makeover and comes in all sorts of chic prints and colors. No longer just for the bath, these Luxury Ducks from Designroom Group are for adults and kids alike. With names like Daydream Duck, Outback Duck, Daisy Duck, Hugs and Kisses Duck and Spring Duck, there's one sure to fit your personality, your mood or just make you (or your child) smile.

Friday Blog Roundup

Here's What's going on in the other mom blogs this week:

On Boston Mamas: Little Capers's detachable cape tees inspire creative play for both girls and boys, while being practicable and comfortable on the playground.

On Clever Parents: Build Your Child's Konfidence In the Water. It’s summer time and that means swimming whether it be in a pool, a lake, or an ocean. And though swimming is great family fun, it can also be dangerous - especially if your child’s fearlessness exceeds their current swimming level.

On Classy Mommy: Video Review of eBeanstalk. Check out our latest video review highlighting eBeanstalk. The eBeanstalk gift series allows you to send your favorite tot a new toy every 3 months to match their stage of development. Classy Mommy approved! Save 10% and get Free Shipping with code CLASSY.

On MomFinds: Win this chic, travel-friendly Lexie Barnes Darling Diaper Bag just in time for your summer vacation.

On Babyfaces: Photo of the Week. Little boy who just doesn't look innocent enough.

On Coochicoos: Skip Hop Designs New Playmat. Forget those alphabet and number playmats - Skip Hop's Playspot playmat is the perfect answer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nursing Bras from La Leche League

La Leche League(LLLI) has been supporting nursing moms for years. So who better to come out with their own line of nursing bras and lingerie designed just for breastfeeding women. This beautiful new line was designed with busy on-the-go moms in mind and includes sports bras, hands-free pump bras and plunge bras that offer day-to-night choices for comfort and ease in nursing.

The LLLI recommends purchasing three nursing bras: one to wear, one for the laundry, and one to have clean and ready in your drawer (we all know we'll need a back-up some days). With these great new styles and their affordable prices, you can stock up in style!

Wet Happens

As the days of summer roll on and we head off to celebrate the July 4th holiday at the beach, the pool or a friend's house, the last thing we want to think about is storing your kids' wet or soiled clothes. Yet, it's a fact of life. Sometimes after swimming, it's just easier to take your child's swimsuit off before you get into the car to avoid soaking the carseat. But what do you do with the wet swimsuit? Why, put it in the Wet Happened? Bag, of course.

The Wet Happened? Bag is a waterproof bag designed to hold your wet clothing, burp cloths and even diapers! It's made of cute cotton prints and is machine washable. So next time you need to stash a soaked swimsuit, a soiled outfit or a saturated burp cloth, keep the Wet Happened? Bag handy.

My Hero

Kids just love to play dress up, and it seems anything that has a cape attached gets extra points among the kids in our neighborhood. So I just fell in love with Little Capers when I received one because I know my son is just going to love it! And I love it too because it's a neutral Super Hero image without any preconceived notions of violence or evil powers.

Little Capers was started by two college best friends who went on to become moms. They watched as their kids clipped dish towels onto their t-shirts, and it occurred to them: Why not create a line of t-shirts that come with their own capes? The capes are so cool, made of a slinky and metallic fabric, they attach with velcro to back of the shirt for versatility and practicality. And the Super Heroes these shirts evoke stem from the child's own imagination instead of some well-known Super Hero, both building creativity and discouraging violence.

These shirts aren't just for boys. They come in styles for girls too, and my four year old daughter was begging me for one when she saw the one for my son. She's in the throes of her dress-up years and this cute t-shirt with it's very own cape just stole her heart. Little Capers Powers, activate!

Keds Are Cool Again

I remember growing up and all the girls had Keds. They were the perfect shoe for the playground, and our moms loved them for their comfort. Styles were limited, but who could beat a pair of blue or white Keds sneakers for everyday?

Fast forward a few decades and Keds are still around, although they're not what you'd expect. Keds have seemingly kept up with the times and are now available in numerous styles, colors and fabrics. Still known for their comfort, yet you may find yourself choosing them based more on their chic look.

The Greta Camo Casual is a great slip-on that combines Keds' athletic heritage with modern sporty chic. These are perfect for slipping on and running errands, or for a day spent sight-seeing at the zoo.

The Stunner is another great new style from Keds that will really surprise you. True to its name, the stunner comes in red or black patent and is trimmed with a striped trim. A pointy toe gives this shoe a modern edge and makes it a little dressier. Pair this with a pretty skirt and top and you're set for a casual dinner out or a backyard barbecue. When there's a chill in the air, these will look great with a pair of jeans and a sweater while keeping you comfortable.

So next time you're shoe shopping, take a look at Keds. What you find might just surprise you!

Who's In Your Circle?

There are lots of bath and body products for kids on the market. How do you decide which ones to use on your little one's delicate skin? For me, the biggest prerequisite is natural ingredients. I don't like to put harsh chemicals on their skin or into their systems. So when we found Circle Of Friends products, I knew we were on the right track.

Circle Of Friends is a great line of hair, bath and body care products formulated just for kids. Using the highest quality natural botanicals and other elements, these products are formulated by moms, are all tear-free and are never tested on animals.

My daughter loved the Ana Banana Shampoo. It has a sweet banana smell that she found fascinating, and really enjoyed washing her hair (it's usually a battle, so this was a treat for both of us). She finished up with the Dragon Dance conditioner and we both enjoyed reading about Cheto from Beijing (on the back of the bottle) and learning a little about another culture. One of the missions of Circle of Friends is to challenge kids' active minds and they've done that by introducing them to different cultures on their kid-friendly bottles.
As we all know, many babies and children have eczema or sensitive skin. My daughter has had sensitive skin since birth (our doctor calls it her "itchy weirdness" because there's not really another name for it other then sensitive skin). Circle of Friends has formulated their Little Docs line of products specifically for sensitive skin and eczema. All dermatologist-tested, allergen-free and tearless, these products contain all natural anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients such as lavender, calendula, alow-vera with no active drug ingredients. When we used the Soothing Shampoo and Body Wash and finished up with the Calming Cream my daughter's skin came out feeling comforted and soft, rather than itchy and dry. And grown-ups can use these products too!

So when you're in need of some great new natural products for your kids, or want a natural and effective product for your child's (or baby's) eczema or sensitive skin, I highly recommend Circle of Friends and Little Docs. They're both great lines full of nothing but good stuff.

Save the Breast Cancer Research Stamp!

Since the Breast Cancer Research Stamp was introduced in 1998, it's raised more than $53 million for breast cancer research. It's now up for renewal in Congress. There are currently two bills in Congress that could reauthorize the stamp, and possibly even make it permanent. With your help, these bills could pass and the stamp could go on funding much more needed research in the fight against breast cancer.

More than 700 million Breast Cancer Research Stamps have been sold in the past eight years. Help keep this stamp in circulation by urging Members of Congress to support the Breast Cancer Research Stamp. Your vote makes a difference!

Lip Service

From the looks of it, lips are back and planning to stick around for a while. No more non-existent lips, but color. Cabernet, merlot, scarlet, name your color. Yet the lipcolors available today pack more of a punch than those you've used before. They're more than just pretty, they're smart too. With such great benefits as sun protection, antioxidants and being eco-friendly, the newest crop of lipcolors are chock full of extras.

I'm a big fan of lipcolor. Ever since I began wearing make-up, it never felt complete until I had slicked a deep berry red onto my lips. This is still true, yet sometimes it's merely a hint of color instead of a deep, matte hue. On the days when I don't wear make-up, I'll still apply lipcolor, even if it's just a slick of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer. For us busy moms who don't always have time to perfectly apply our lipcolor (I do mine at stoplights more often than I care to admit), here are a few picks for lipcolor that offers a little more.

Silky-Finish Lipcolor from Benefit is a wonderful product. You can slick on one layer and head out the door with a sheer tint or take your time applying several layers for outright gorgeous lips (on those oh-so-rare date nights). One product offers many looks and equals a lot of bang for the buck.

Lipstick:Lipstick from MAC is what made them famous. It's deep, rich color plus texture giving you a perfect look each time. Available in eight different finishes and a whole lotta colors, you can choose your mood ranging from sheer to hi-impact.

Vincent Longo has developed a lipstain lipstick with an SPF of 15. This is great news for those of us who like to look good while we protect our skin from the sun's damaging rays. Their award-winning formula is ultra-silky, high-gloss and delicately tints the lips while they are moisturized with vitamin E and aloe vera.

So go forth with beautiful lips!

Friday Blog Roundup

Here's what other moms are talking about on their blogs this week...

On Clever Parents: The Intuitive Cook - What’s for Dinner? Quick & Healthy One-Pot Meals can be the solution to quick and easy cooking when no one really has the time to cook.

On Boston Mamas: Lifeguard On Duty. For an extra line of sun defense, check Cabana Life's breezy, beachy 50+ UV protection clothing for boys, girls, and women.

On Celebrity Moms: Jennifer Garner on Her Insecurities and Beauty Routine: Jennifer Garner may be an A-List celebrity mom, but she still has her insecurities.

On The Stylish Child: Angelina Jolie Shares Her Jeans Style with Zahara. Angelina Jolie is one stylish mom and now she's passing her favorite jean style down to daughter Zahara.

On MomFinds: Baby Bathtime Fun Guide. Get your little one squeaky clean and squealing with delight with these fun bathtub essentials for comfort and safety, colorful towels to stave off the shivers and water toys sure to entertain.

Paper or Plastic? Cotton, Please!

Looking for a fashionable alternative to plastic shopping bags? Tote Anya Hindmarch's wildly popular cotton canvas tote that proudly proclaims, "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" and you'll be saving the planet in style. That is, if you can get one.

Anya Hindmarch designed this clever carryall to encourage fashionable folks to use their own tote bag when shopping, rather than using lots of plastic bags. It's a stylish and practical solution to reduce waste, and the bag helps spread the message. The response has been overwhelming, having sold out twice already in London. Just two days ago the bag began to be sold at Fred Segal Flair and Ron Herman for just $15.

If you're in the New York or New Jersey area, look for them at your local Whole Foods stores on July 18th. If you really want to get your hands on one, try ebay, but be prepared to pay. They're going for up to $200. It's a great bag, but if you can't seem to be in the right place at the right time, or don't want to part with that kind of cash for a cotton tote bag, relax. Just grab your favorite tote bag from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, and while they're not nearly as hip, they're still doing a world of good!

Birthdays Can Be Fun Again

Remember when you were a kid and birthday parties meant a game of Pin-The-Tail-on-the-Donkey, paper streamers and a birthday cake from the local grocery? No frills, no stress. You just made a list, mailed your invitations, ordered the cake and passed out party hats the day of the party. Whatever happened to the good 'ol days?

In this day and age, birthday parties seem to have gotten out of control (remember that $10,000 princess party for a 1 year old?). Somehow they have become a status symbol, much like the cars we drive or the neighborhood we live in. And each year the pressure is on to outdo last year's party. The pressure mounts, and the parents, in their desperate attempts not to disappoint, shell out big bucks for the fanciest party, best gift bags and coolest surprise birthday guest, creating a generation of kids who want more and even begin to feel they're entitled to it. Help!

Birthdays Without Pressure is here to help. They offer up some great suggestions for meaningful birthday parties that will leave everyone feeling good and your wallet still full. Birthdays, after all, are supposed to be fun, not stressful and expensive. They come every year like clockwork, so why not take the hassle out of these exciting days and just keep it low key. Everyone will benefit, and you'll walk away feeling good instead of wiped out, both financially and emotionally.

Holey Cinnamon Buns, Batman!

Yes, it's that time of year when we want to indulge ourself in the occasional treat but we still want to look great in our swimsuits. Holey Donuts designed their delicious cinnamon buns to do just that. With only 270 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, each cinnamon bun has only a fraction of what other cinnamon buns have, yet with all the flavor. These are perfect to pack up and take to the beach to share with friends and family (but you might be tempted not to!)

Today's Baby, Tomorrow's Environmental Leader

Having kids sure has given me a different perspective on the world in many ways. One of the most promiment ways is my concern for the state our environment will be in when they are old enough to start families of their own. I do what I can to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to help spread the word, especially to my kids. Now kids can help spread the word, even if they can't yet talk!

My Conservation Baby found that the topic of conservation comes up on Earth Day or Arbor Day, but not many more. They believe that’s really not enough for the conservation message to get through, and they wanted to do something to help get the word out. Their cute line of baby apparel is their way of doing something beneficial for the environment and for future generations. When your baby wears a onesie or toddler tee with an eco-friendly message (such as Conserve, and Stop Global Warming), they find a new meaning of expression. My Conservation Baby believes that today’s eco-friendly baby could be tomorrow’s environmental leader, and they do what they can to get them started on the right path.

They do their part by offering organic cotton onesies and tees, and by donating 1% of their profits to the planet.

Have Your Ice Cream...And Eat It Too!

The guys behind Ben and Jerry's think we should all be able to indulge in a little ice cream now and then, especially when the weather turns warm. So they've created a line called Lighten Up to let you enjoy their delicious ice cream while you watch your waistline too!

Lighten Up is lighter than Ben and Jerry's regular ice cream, but still has all the yummy chunks of chocolate, fruit and other goodies with less fat and calories. It comes in such mouth-watering flavors as Strawberries and Cream, Raspberry Chocolate Chunk, Phish Food and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, that you'll never miss what's not there. You'll just enjoy each luscious mouthful like you were a kid again. Look for it at your local Ben and Jerry's store, or in the freezer section at your favorite grocery.

Blog Round-Up

Here's what other mama's are saying around the blogs:

On Boston Mamas: Cool Critter Kit - A finger puppet kit that's cute, environmentally minded, and great for a rainy afternoon.

On Clever Parents *Recall*: 1.5 Million Thomas and Friends™ Trains Recalled Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard Many of the trains sold over the last two years are included in this huge recall of Thomas and Friends™ Trains. Find out what trains and accessories are being recalled and how to get your replacement toys.

On Babyfaces Photo of the Week- Here batter batter batter batter batter...

On Classy Mommy: Win over $260 in gear from Bumble Bags.
Enter this week's (June 10th - June 16th ) Classy Mommy Giveaway sponsored by Forty Weeks and Bumble Bags to win a choice selection of the entire Bumble Bags line including the newest prints for Spring 2007!

On Coochicoos: Games for Car & Plane Trips. Clever ideas to keep kids entertained on your next vacation.

On MomFinds: Top Five Diaper Bags for Dad. Our picks for cool diaper bags dad would be proud to carry. Because there’s nothing sexier than a man with a baby…and a diaper bag.

In The MotherHood

Motherhood sure isn't what you expected it to be, is it? No one could ever possibly convey how gratifying, yet challenging this role actually is. The highs, the lows, the drama, the hilarity! And we moms love to share. I know I just love sharing stories of some hilarious thing my daughter said, or some cute face my son made. If you enjoy sharing your funny stories about raising kids, perhaps you should submit them to In The MotherHood. Your wild and crazy kids could just win you a prize!

In The MotherHood is an internet sitcom created for moms, by moms and about moms. It was conceived by Suave and Sprint and is based on real-life, comical stories of motherhood submitted by moms like you. Potty training, explaining the birds and the bees, witnessing a two-year old tantrum — the comedies of motherhood never seem to end!

After you live through it, laugh about it, then send it in to In The MotherHood.

Toaster With the Mostess

I've always wanted a toaster oven. Yet, for some strange reason, I've never had one of my own. I've had plenty of roommates over the years who had them, friends who've had them, even relatives who've had them. But I was always the proud owner of a two-slice toaster, perfect for my morning slice slathered in peanut butter (or most recently, almond butter) and raisins. Or a bagel, English muffin, homemade banana bread...

Lucky for me, our toaster broke. My husband and I thought we'd get another one just like it. But then I went to Target and fell in love with this Toaster/Toaster Oven Combo and it was all over! This little baby converts from a toaster to a toaster oven at the flick of a lever, giving us the best of both worlds. I can toast my whole grain bread in the morning, then switch the settings to toaster oven to bake a few mini-pizzas from Trader Joe's for my daughter in the evening. Easy as pie. So I am now the proud owner of a toaster oven, and loving every minute of it!

Birth, Breastfeeding and Babies

If you're in the Triangle area of North Carolina and looking for all natural, high-quality and hard to find items for babies and mamas, then look no further. The Women's Birth and Wellness Boutique has just opened and has worked hard to bring many of the best things for babies and mothers all in one place. Located inside the NC Birth Center of Chapel Hill, the Boutique carries the best of everything, from Medela breast pumps, nursing bras, cloth diapers and slings to handcrafted baby bibs and burp cloths (look for our own line here!), essential oils, aromatherapy and homeopathy for birth and baby. They also carry a wonderful selection of books on pregnancy, nursing and parenting. So when you're in the area, stop in for a visit!

Image courtesy of Elizabeth Galecke Photography

Post a Comment, Win A DVD on Water Safety

Summer's (almost) here and you know what that means - lots of time in the pool, at the beach and anywhere that has water and is refreshing. When kids are around water, there must be some safety rules in place to keep everyone safe.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post on a great group of characters called the Danger Rangers and their DVD called Water Works that teaches kids about being "water safe" in a fun way they can really understand. One Chic Mama has 5 Water Works DVDs to give away to help your kids learn water safety this summer. Simply post a comment here on kids and water safety - anything from questions to suggestions or just general water safety comments - between now and midnight on Friday, June 15, and you'll be entered into our drawing.

Winner of Baby Boy & Mama Gift Basket

We have a winner of our baby boy and mama gift basket, full of lots of wonderful goodies! Our winner is ikkinlala. We have sent you an email, please reply with your mailing address and your fabulous swag will be sent to you asap. Thanks to all of you wonderful readers for reading One Chic Mama. And thanks to all our wonderful giveaway donors! Keep reading! We've lots more to give away, and to tell you about this summer. Stay tuned.

Get More Bang for your (Gas) Buck!

This summer, most of us will find ourselves making at least one road trip, as well as driving our kids around to the local pool, summer camp and to visit friends. While it's great to take this time to have fun and be adventurous, the fact that gas prices have topped out at over $3.00 is enough to put the kabash on anyone's plans. Take heart. Even though our mini-vans and SVU's drink fuel like it's going out of style, there are some things you can do to get the most out of your MPG and increase your mileage. Check out Top 10 Tips for Improving Your Fuel Economy. It offers some easy tips to stretch your gas dollars a little futher.

Pretty Clips for Moms and Daughters

Jules Sherman, the designer for Yosifa Penina and Yosi Girls , graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and won the Alexander Graham Bell Award for "Design and Invention". Pretty cool. She then went on to use her talents to give us girls lovely clips for our hair. But she didn't stop at just pretty. No, these clips are also waterproof (perfect for the pool this summer!) and washable to boot!

Yosifa Penina creates barrettes, hair clips,and ponytail holders out of molded flexible pvc. The Yosifa Penina line is designed with tweens and women in mind (yet my 4-year old daughter wore one out to dinner tonight), inspired by a love of illustrations. The line also includes belts and larger hairclips. The Yosi Girls line is a cute line of barrettes and elastics in the shapes of various creatures, fairytales, animals (we love the frog! Oh, and the bluebird hair elastic is just adorable!) and candy, in smaller sizes perfect for kids.

Yosifa Penina and Yosi Girls take the environment and safety seriously, and only use materials that are lead, mercury, chromium and cadmium free. Good news for the planet, good news for us! So if you're looking for a fun way to brighten up your 'do this summer (or your daughter's), these clips are sure to make you smile. Currently available from Smashing Darling.

Friday Mama Linklove

Here's what other mama's are talking about in the blog world this week...

From Boston Mamas: Cool Doodling. The Offi Doodle Desk
offers a modern all-in-one desk, seat, and storage unit for little artists.

On Clever Parents: Operation Shower - Vidcast From Fort Bragg. Have you ever been to a baby shower for 17 moms? Enjoy this bird’s eye view of the shower thrown for 11 moms and moms-to-be of deployed soldiers in Iraq and 6 moms who are also active duty soldiers.

On MamaPop: Who's Noggined Out? Desperate Mother of 4 year old Seeks Alternative Entertainment Options... No matter how oddly attractive that Sportacus is, and no matter how many moments you can while away pondering the whole “Why Iceland???” thing, after a while you are simply Noggined and Sprouted out.

On MomFinds: On-Line Smack Shopping Event
on Monday June 11th 9 PM EST Score huge savings on the hottest baby and mom products during this exciting, interactive shopping event. Think Bugaboos and Baby Bjorns discounted 46% on average.

Babyfaces - Photo of the Week: Who's baby's best friend?

On Celebrity Moms: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have decided to wait until the kids are older to have their time together.


On Classy Mommy: Laurie's Lagniappe Ink Stamp. We just got this whimsical self inking stamp for Mackenzie. Hand designed just for her with her initial and name as shown on the left. Laurie's Lagniappe has over 25 classy designs to choose from and the quality of this stamp is top notch. Super sturdy - it looks like it will last for years to come! Classy Mommy approved!

On Coochicoos: Europe's Favorite Quinny Stroller in U.S. See what the fuss is all about on the new stroller arrival from Europe.

On The Stylish Mom: A Peek Inside Mariska Hargitay's Home. Her home is a tribute to her family and memories.

On mod*mom - A Giveaway: boon's flair pedestal highchair is about to launch + you can win one here!

Punk Rock Dad

With Father's Day coming up, I thought it would be a great time to do a review of Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life, the latest book by Jim Lindberg. What attracted me initially to this book was the fact that I dated the lead singer of a punk rock band early on in college. I felt I might relate to this book by sheer virtue of that fact.

Jim is father to three girls, and lead singer in the punk rock band, Pennywise. The two seemingly don't go together, but somehow Jim makes the combination work for him and his family. Jim writes about his tales, from touring with the band to taking his girls to soccer practice to juggling schedules, with eloquence and a big shot of humor. When he writes about having to go to the drug store to stock up on all kinds of personal items for his wife after having their first child and being recognized by a fan, he wonders if that fan will go home and throw away all his Pennywise albums. It's touching the way he describes coming home from screaming at the top of his lungs at a punk rock show to being up all night with his sick daughter (and how he wouldn't trade it for anything). It's clear that his family is his priority, and it's great to see a dad write from his perspective - even if this is not your typical dad. Punk Rock Dad is laugh-out-loud funny at times. Jim's style of writing will pull you in and get you wrapped up so that you want to find out what happens next - what adventure will being a punk rock father of three girls bring next?

Beauty Addicts

When I first received the lovely package of cosmetics to sample from beautyADDICTS, the first thing that struck me was the packaging. Each sleek, black package was presented in it's very own pink, beaded metallic organza bag. Wow! This made me feel like I was about to be really indulged. Once I opened each little package, I realized that I was definitely in for a treat.

beautyADDICTS is a new line of cosmetics whose philosophy is “beauty made simple”. They have a truly unique approach to color. They have devised systems of palettes using shades and textures that complement each other with both a timeless style as well as a modern edge. beautyADDICTS replaces the “seasonal color story” with a system of color families designed around the moods and attitudes of today’s woman – be it flirtatious, casual, professional or downright glamorous.

The very first time I used beautyADDICTS, I had an impromptu girls' night out (all too rare these days), and I was in a hurry to touch up my make-up and head out the door. I dared to try the SolutionEYES in the Motivate palette. It was a soft and pretty mix of lavenders and plums, some matte and some with a bit of shimmer. I found them very easy to use and was quite pleased with the result - especially since I had just a few minutes to apply it. The EffortlessEYES pencil in Motivate was a wonderful plum hue and I used it on the inner rim of my upper lid. The pencil was soft enough to go on smoothly with even color, yet firm enough to stay put. This lavender color scheme is supposed to be universally flattering no matter what your coloring.

The icing on the cake was the LusciousLIPS lip palette in Motivate. This was a nice surprise. When I put it on, I was expecting lipstick. What I got was so much more! I would call this a lip glaze because it went on so smoothly. It's thicker than gloss (but not goopy at all) and has a real impact with it's rich color and shimmer. My girlfriends loved it and immediately wanted to know where I had found it! It made me feel very glamorous.

All in all, I would highly recommend beautyADDICTS products. They've created a great balance between sophisticated cosmetics and ease of use. These are not products to be intimidated by, but to empower you to be a bit more daring. Trusting that the color palettes are designed to work together, you can create a great look that's just right for you. Whatever your mood, there's a palette to suit, and with beautyADDICTS behind you, you can't miss!

Good Kids, Bad Habits

When we received our review copy of Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children, my husband immediately picked it up and began taking the quiz to find out how our almost four-year old daughter scored. It turns out she fared rather well, yet not quite as well as we had expected. She's very healthy, and when she's at home we eat whole grains, veggies (she loves broccoli!) and lots of fruit. Yet I have a big sweet tooth (which she inherited) and I love to bake, but when we buy or make desserts I try to keep them as healthy as possible. Once outside the boundaries of our own home, as we are quite a bit, many of the rules go out the window. We try to guide her to make the healthiest choices possible yet we don't want to feel like we're controlling every bite she puts in her mouth. Jennifer Trachtenberg's book was a great guide for helping us strike a healthy balance and to make small changes that yield big results.

Jennifer Trachtenberg, the author, is a pediatrician as well as a mother of three. She offers some great suggestions for spotting bad habits in the making and turning them into good habits. She guides us to make the best choices for our kids and lets us know that we don't need to make every change in her book to have a healthy child. Her goal is to give us a better understanding of good nutrition and how it affects our children in both the long and short-term. She points out that something as simple as feeding your child breakfast, if they don't already eat it, will make a huge difference. She also deals with some bahaviorial issues such as self-esteem and confidence, and knowing when to turn to a professional for help.

With the record number of obese children who have adult onset diabetes, depression and heart trouble, we as a nation can do a lot to encourage our kids to be healthier. Good Kids, Bad Habits gives us some simple suggestions for changes we can encourage early on that can help kids be healthy for life. She's offers up some great insight and preventive tips to help kids be as healthy as possible, while still allowing them to be kids. Because being healthy is important, but it can be fun too!

Giveaway: Baby Boy and Mama Gift Basket

For this giveaway, we have a basket of goodies perfect for the mom expecting a baby boy! This fabulous giveaway includes peanut brittle from the head cowgirl at Cowgirl Chocolates, a great tank for the expectant mom who's having a boy from In Style Moms (for you or your prego friend), a baby bib from our own line (launching soon!), lovely citrus bird cards from The Posh Peacock, water bottle nipple converters for baby from Baby Sport, make-up brushes, mascara and bronzer from Beauty Addicts and some other amazing goodies to make you feel pampered. To enter, simply sign up for our mailing list by Friday, June 8th at midnight. Spread the word!

Giveaway Winner

The winner of our Baby Girl and Mama Gift Basket is Caryn. Thanks to all those who signed up for our mailing list!

You Know You Need A Date With Your Hubby When...

With our recent anniversary (9 years!), my husband and I were reminded of our romantic side. Yes, we do still have one. It just doesn't show itself quite as much when we're busy being parents. Sure, our days are filled with spit-up, diapers and power struggles. But that doesn't mean our nights have to be too. So we arrange for a sitter and make a reservation at our favorite little Italian restaurant and look forward to an evening of reconnecting.

As parents, it's important that we keep in touch with our partners, not just to discuss the days' schedule, but to dream with, to connect to and to have a physical relationship with. It's the glue that holds this whole thing together and helps give us the support we need to continue being good parents. Are you due for a date?

Parentbloggers and eharmony want to know: You know you need a date with your husband/partner when...(fill in the blank). All you mama bloggers out there need to post on this and you'll be entered to win an expenses paid date with your man (sitter included)!

Love Shak Baby Giveaway

The hip chicks behind that cool website, Love Shak Baby, have put together a great giveaway for their readers. Between now and June 21st, simply leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win a $150 Zutano gift certificate. Zutano's cute clothes would be great for either of my kids, so I think I'll go leave a comment right now!

Friday Mama Linklove

Here's what's being talked about around the web this week:

MomFinds: Save Up to 40% in our MomSale. If you're a mom-to-be, a new mom, or a veteran toddler-wrangler, check out our discounts on anything and everything you'll need to make being a mom a breeze.

Keri Russell is ready for her second act. Keri Russell literally grew up in front of our eyes, now she returns to the Hollywood scene in a hit indie film with a baby on the way.

Actress Jenna Elfman is expecting her first son later this summer and shares some of her favorite baby products.

Coochicoos: Wiegen Concept Stroller. Here's a stroller unlike any other you've seen...

Clever Parents: Cheap and Easy Butterflies. There are a lot places out there selling caterpillars for you and your young ones to rear and set free. Here’s a secret…you don’t need to buy caterpillars! Read on and learn how you can cecome the coolest parent on the block by raising your own caterpillars safely, easily, and cheaply!

Classy Mommy is totally a fan of Stride Rite's summer shoe collection We recently began using this hip and stylish Keke sandal. for Mackenzie - it is a stage 3 shoe designed to mimic barefoot walking but is also a super supportive shoe for her little feet.Kudos to Stride Rite for creating a summer shoe collection with both fashion and function in mind!

Boston Mamas: Doctor In The House. We’re loving this basic (i.e., not a million tiny parts), inexpensive, compact-for-summer-travel medical kit that will inspire pretend play and make your next well-visit easier.

Babyfaces - Photo of the Week: A vintage look at summer.