What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?

Peace, Love, Understanding. Those classic words from Elvis Costello suddenly have new meaning, and are things we can never have too much of in this world. Share the sentiment with some hip new accessories and spread the brotherly (or motherly) love.

Peace is the word with this fabulous new Silver Peace Stroller Tote from Dante Beatrix ($100). These folks really know how to make a bag, and include just enough pockets to let it double as a purse. I take reusable coffee cups with me and they fit perfectly in the side pockets. One for my cup, one for Dylan's bottle. There's a cell phone pocket on back with a velcro closure, a larger pocket perfect for the kids' snacks, odds and ends or the day's mail. A zippered pocket inside gives you a private place to store feminine products or valuables, and two smaller pockets hold pens, lip gloss, and other small things. This roomy bag is my new favorite!

Let your child help spread the word about peace and create a better world. These cute Robeez Peace Shoes ($27.95) let them do it in style.


If all you need is a small clutch to carry the essentials - be it diapers and wipes or lipstick, keys and a cell phone - the Gold Heart Envelope ($28) from Dante Beatrix is the perfect accessory to help you feel the love. This cute pouch fits inside the strollerbag or another larger bag, or you can carry it on its own for an evening out. The gold metallic trim is right in style!

Pumpkin Works Wonders on Skin Too

As you may have noticed, I love pumpkin. Around here we've been indulging in lots of pumpkin edibles, but pumpkin's not just to eat. There are many wonderful skincare products enriched with the goodness of pumpkin made just for your skin. Here are three great products, and not a calorie in sight!

Ladies Blend Pumpkin Enzyme Facial Cleanser & Masque is an organic exfoliating cleanser and mask enriched with pumpkin pulp that's gentle on your skin. It's chock full of pumpkin goodness, including enzymes, antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamins and minerals, and suitable for normal as well as sensitive skin.

Now that the weather is cooler (and more drying), keep your skin hydrated with this Spiced Pumpkin Souffle Handmade Shea Cocoa and Mango Body Butter
by ZAJA. Made with fair-trade ingredients, each jar is whipped up to order. Let the earthy sweetness of the pumpkin come through with a fragrant blend of clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, and just a touch of cinnamon. Pumpkin naturally soothes and softens the skin. Nourish your skin while keeping it smelling delicious. As just ten bucks a pop, this is an affordable indulgence.

We all know how good pumpkin is to eat, but it is a nutritional powerhouse for dry, mature and sensitive skin too. Crafted from pure ingredients from Sumbody.com, Pumpkin Lift Face Mask is high in age-defying anti-oxidants, exfoliating enzymes and nourishing Vitamins E and C. The pumpkin stimulates circulation, promotes clarity and restores damaged skin to a healthy, balanced state. With added skin-softening milk, hydrating honey, warming cinnamon and firming egg to the mix, this mask makes for a truly decadent skin-loving treat.

Winner of the Eurotote

Our lucky winner of the Eurotote is Christine D. Congratulations! We hope you'll enjoy it.

Pumpkin Cookies

Each year as fall approaches I look forward to many things, like cozying up in a snuggly sweater, watching the kids jump in piles of leaves and indulging in my favorite fall treats. I love pumpkin, and look for ways to add it to all sorts of things. Fortunately, my family loves it too, and my daughter recently requested pumpkin pancakes with no prodding from me. Today, we made pumpkin waffles and last week we had some delicious pumpkin bread (enriched with flaxseed so it was quite healthy too). One of my new favorites is a variation I came up with just yesterday, just in time for a pumpkin carving party. I made pumpkin cookies and they were a hit with both adults and kids too! I got the recipe from the babysitter of a friend a few years back, and made my own adjustments. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Pumpkin Cookies
1 stick butter, softened
4 oz. 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree (roast your own pie pumpkins and puree, or use canned)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter, cream cheese and sugars in bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla and beat well. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients well. Add to butter mixture and beat until well blended. Drop by rounded teaspoons full 2" apart on cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until slightly golden and firm to the touch. Enjoy with a mug of warm cider or a glass of cold milk.

Go Green For Halloween

This Halloween, as we all prepare for the big night of trick-or-treating, GreenHalloween.org gives us food for thought.

As you head to the store to stock up on candy and non-biodegradable treats for the kids, think about the alternative. What if we gave our kids healthy treats that tasted good too? What if those treats were not only healthy, but good for the planet, using fair-trade cocoa and organic ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly packaging? Perhaps your neighborhood could join together to have a party instead of doing the usual trick-or-treating, offering plenty of healthy food choices alongside some yummy treats. Some kids, especially the older ones, may balk at the idea of going green or making changes to a beloved celebration, but give kids a chance. They may jump on the bandwagon quicker than you can say "boo" if the concept is framed in the right way. Kids are learning more and more about the environment in school, and ways that we can make it a better place for them one day. If we empower our kids, they just might end up inspiring us! Now that would surely be a treat.

Friday Blog Roundup

On Moms Buzz':7 Ways to Keep the Germs Away! As the weather changes, children are back in school and we are out and about, we bring along germs into our homes. The good news is that it's not rocket science what you need to do to keep a family well-protected from bug-borne illness. Just follow these seven basic steps!

On Momfinds: Tiny Revolutionary Tees Giveaway. Win two tees from Tiny Revolutionary and start a fashion revolution. Super-soft, sweatshop-free and socially-conscious, all the tees have positive messages that celebrate the modern family and the modern world.

On Healthy Bump: Next time your little one hurts themselves make sure to have a Boo-Bunny on hand to make them feel better.

On Clever Parents: A Clever Parents viewer asks Geralin: Do you have any eco-friendly organizing hints for an average, SUV-driving mom living inside the city limits?

On Classy Mommy: Win a pair of shoes from Stride Rite! Classy Mommy reviewed several pairs and they are all super cute and totally functional for the playround too!

On Boston Mamas: The Blog Day for postpartum depression has passed, but it's not too late to make your voice heard via a quick call or email to your senator.

A Hobo Bag For A Song

I found this festive and functional Velvet Hobo Bag online at Old Navy. It's a roomy bag, perfect for carrying all your essentials (plus those of your kids too!) while giving you a fun, boho look for fall. With it's stand up ruffle and all-over embroidery, it'll add a feminine and flirty punch to your everyday look. For only $24, it's a nice little treat you can afford to indulge in. Available in redwood, black, coal smoke and sugar cookie at Old Navy. The 5$ shipping is just icing.

Giveaway: Lillebaby Eurotote

As the weather turns cooler, keeping your newborn warm and snuggly becomes a priority, especially if you live in, or travel to, big cities where you spend much of your time outdoors. The Eurotote from Lillebaby is a wonderful Moses carrier/bunting/play blanket that gives your child a versatile, yet consistent environment and keeps them snug and secure. Perfect to travel with, the Eurotote is a great bunting that fits inside a car seat or stroller to protect your child from the chilly elements. Carry your child in the Moses basket-style carrier, then put her down for a nap in the Eurotote. It also unfolds to give your baby a clean place to move and play, or change a diaper. There is a mesh insert for warmer weather, and a padded, fleece liner for when it turns cool. For use from newborn (8 lbs) through 3 years.

We're giving away one Eurotote in "Luck of the Stylish" green ($120 value). Simply email michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com and tell me one online retailer who carries the Eurotote. You have until midnight, Sunday, October 28th to enter. The winner will be announced on Monday, October 29th. US and Canadian shipping addresses only, please.

Have Your Diaper Cake...And Give One Too!

Are you familiar with diaper cakes? They're the lovely, tiered creations crafted from diapers to look like a layer cake, and adorned with ribbons, flowers, stuffed animals or baby products. When I was given a baby shower over a year ago, my sister made a lovely diaper cake, swathed in tulle and ribbons. I was not very familiar with diaper cakes, so at first glance, I thought it was a real layer cake. Imagine my surprise, and delight, when I realized it was made totally of diapers and other useful items that would really come in handy once I had the baby (fortunately, there was a real cake, too).

Not feeling up to making a diaper cake yourself? No worries, Diaper Cakewalk creates some of the most lovely diaper cakes around. Their cakes start with a base made of Pampers Swaddlers in size 1-2, which can be worn up to 15 pounds. This allows the cake can sit in the nursery for awhile to be enjoyed before the diapers must be worn. It's such a useful gift, but also quite pretty to look at and I was reluctant to dismantle mine. The diaper cakes from Diaper Cakewalk come in your choice of themes, whether for a boy, a girl or in a gender neutral color scheme. You can choose cakes adorned with stuffed animals, silk flowers, natural products from Burt's Bees, or more mainstream products from Johnson's Baby Powder and Desitin Diaper Rash Cream. A typical 4-tier cakes contains Huggies Disposable Changing Pads, Huggies Baby Wipes, Baby Vaseline, Johnson's Baby Powder, Desitin Diaper Rash Cream, Alcohol swabs, Sassy Diaper Disposal Sacks, Hand Sanitizer, and approx. 110 size 1-2 disposable Pampers Swaddlers. They even offer the option of an eco-friendly cake, using environmentally friendly diapers. Imagine the feeling of relief from the mom-to-be, to be so well stocked with diapers and products. With newborns going through 8-10 diapers a day, this will keep them well stocked for more than a week!

When looking for a clever centerpiece for your next baby shower, or simply a great baby gift to arm new parents with the essentials, then look to Diaper Cakewalk. Their impressive cakes are sure to draw rave reviews for both their creativity as well as their functionality.

Have A Fit

Love 'em or hate 'em, bras are a part of our lives as women. From the time we start to wear them in our early teens, bras are expected to perform many functions, from offering support, giving us a smooth, sleek line and giving us easy access when nursing. For all the bra-wearing we do, it turns out that most of us are wearing the wrong sized bra. The average American woman wore a size 34B fifteen years ago. Now, it's a 36C. Why? Americans are simply getting bigger, for one. But also, it's because more women are being fitted for a bra and finding out their true size.

It's said women's breasts change at least six times in their lives, and most change every five years. Losing or gaining ten pounds, having a baby, nursing a baby, exercising, and going on or off the pill are all factors that can contribute to change, so it's important to get fitted every few years so your bras fit properly. I just finished nursing my son and have noticed all my good bras have gotten stretched out. Time to get fitted and restock my lingerie drawer.

More and more shops are beginning to offer free bra fitting. Nordstrom, JC Penney, Soma and Lane Bryant stores all offer free fitting. Soma stores really want to see women wearing the right sized bra - so much so that they are offering 25% off one bra just for taking the time for a free fitting.

Once you know your correct bra size, shopping online can be easy. Take a look at the Top 10 Bras for your Fall wardrobe at BareNecessities.com for a few suggestions. They offer bras in all price ranges, have a wide range of styles and sizes, and offer $5 shipping everyday.

Frame Those Sweet Little Faces

When searching for the perfect frame to show off your little one's special moments, try All About Baby. They have some of the cutest little frames around. Each frame is individually artisan painted in a playful dot pattern, accented with a bow, and personalized to order. You may choose to have your child's name on a frame, or use a sweet word or short phrase to capture the moment.
With the holidays coming up, think about having a personalized ornament frame created for your kids. They'll get a thrill seeing their very own picture hanging on the tree, and you can even start a collection, adding a new picture each year. How much fun to look back and see how they've changed! Or give these as a gift to Grandma. They're a memorable keepsake for under $30.

All About Baby also offers some other charming gifts such as personalized plates (see their "Cookies for Santa" plate for Christmas), personalized door hangers, clocks, stools and much more!

Shoofly...Don't Bother Me

We all know the rhyme that's a childhood favorite, but I have only just recently gotten to know the music, stories and poetry that comes from Shoofly Audio. The husband and wife team based in the lovely town of Carrboro ("Paris of the Piedmont"), North Carolina, who are the creators of Shoofly have come up with a wonderful collection of CD's that kids (and grown-ups) will enjoy for years to come.

Shoofly Audio came about back in the early 90's, when founders Jack and Arlene found themselves on a road trip with their son, Harry. While flipping about the radio dial they came across a poetry reading and all were captivated, being drawn into the poets' voice and images. Jack and Arlene knew this was the start of something big for them when they coudn't stop talking about sharing that experience with other children. Shoofly was born. But what began as a series of audiomagazines sent to subscribers all over the world has taken several turns and is now a labor of love released for all to hear.

Shoofly Audio CD's are chock full of songs, stories and poetry aimed at children, but that adults won't mind listening to. My kids have been listening to the CD's at home, and both love them. My son likes to listen to Shoofly CD's at lunchtime. He's only 1, so a pleasant distraction and something to get creative with to get food in his mouth is welcome. My daughter has listened to Shoofly during playdates and while doing artwork. It's been a nice backdrop, giving them something to pay attention to when they wanted, but without interrupting their play when they wanted to focus on something else.

Shoofly's fun, homespun stories and music with an almost folky feel remind me of sitting around a campfire when I was young and in Girl Scouts, listening to creative storytelling and poetry, and singing songs. It brought back some nice memories. We haven't had the opportunity to listen to Shoofly on a road trip yet, but I look forward to the chance.

Each album is available for purchase as a CD for $12.95 or as a download for your IPod or computer for only $8 from Shoofly Audio.

Winner of the O Yikes Slingback Bag

The lucky winner of the Slingback Bag from O Yikes! is Naomi H. She has been emailed and we'll get the bag right out to her.

Stay tuned for a few more great giveaways, coming soon!

Shoes That Walk the Walk

Today is our son Dylan's first birthday. Needless to say, for the past 3 months or so he's been creeping, crawling and cruising in preparation for his next major milestone - walking. During this process, I've felt compelled to keep him well shod (partly to give him good support and keep his feet warm, partly because I just love shoes!) and he's tried out several different styles of shoes out there. Let me just say that Vincent shoes are, by far, our favorite!

Dylan received a couple of pairs of Vincent Mini Pre-Walkers for review through the Parent Bloggers Network. The Vincent Minis are cute, sporty shoes that have been great for his busy schedule of Mother's Morning Out and trips to the park. The shoes come up high enough to give him good support, and the velcro is nice and long, which means he can't undo it and take the shoes off without my knowing about it (a problem we've had with another brand). The Minis are soft and bendable, giving our tippy-toes walker the flexibility he needs to get around like a pro. The polka-dot treat on bottom means he won't slip when cruising across our hardwoods.

The other style we tried were the Mini Alfons. I think of these as Dylan's "dress-up" shoes, although they're still just as suitable for an afternoon at the park or shopping with Mom at the mall. Again, these have great support while still being soft and piliable. The same long straps fit the shoes securely to his feet so we don't have to worry about losing a shoe somewhere, and the leather sole doesn't skid when he's taking a step or two on his own.

We give Vincent Shoes two thumbs up and kudos for creating some of the best children's pre-walkers out there. Style, comfort, function and price - Vincent Shoes has it all.

Now you can win some for your own children! Vincent is giving away TWO $50 gift certificates to two lucky readers. All you have to do is check out the Vincent site, then leave a comment on the Vincent post at PBN with your favorite style and why (it does NOT need to be a pre-walker). Two winners will be selected at random from all the comments on the final-round-up day 11/1.

But don't wait to see if you won - use coupon "OCT-20-OFF" for 20% anything in the shop through 11/11/07 (first time purchase only) and find out how awesome Vincent shoes are for yourself (and your kids).

Wow, That's One Big, Cool Bib!

We all know how messy kids can get at the dinner table. For toddlers and preschoolers, getting messy at mealtime is half the fun! This is why moms, Amy and Cristina, put their heads together and created One Big Cool Bib.

A bib is great, yet sometimes it's just not enough. One Big Cool Bib goes on like a bib, yet it's much longer and has plenty of fabric to wrap around the waist and tie to keep it secure. Great for art projects as well as making cookies for the holidays, One Big Cool Bib will keep your kids covered, clean and dry. With a different hip fabric on each side, the bib is reversible to give you options.

So if you have child at home who likes to make a mess, whether at mealtime, playtime or other times, order One Big Cool Bib for them. You'll be able to sit back and watch with amusement as they make a mess, rather than trying (in vain) to keep their clothes clean!

Friday Blog Roundup

On Boston Mamas: Get Down, Stay Down. The Downtime Sleepy hat offers a stylish and functional way to wind your baby down (and discourage strangers from poking and prodding!).

On Clever Parents: - Fort Hood Selected for Upcoming Baby Shower for 60 Army Moms Operation Shower. Gifts sent from around the country will arrive at Fort Hood, Texas on Saturday, December 8, 2007 as part of a baby shower for 60 Army moms sponsored by Operation Shower.

On Healthy Bump: Gestational Diabetes. When my sister told me she had gestational diabetes it was the first I had ever heard of this medical condition. I was really concerned for her health and what could happen to her unborn child.

On MomFinds: Maternity Fashion Guide for Real Women. Petite, plus-sized, tall or curvy— No matter what your size, look chic and stylish throughout your pregnancy.

On Moms' Buzz: Fun Facts About Halloween. How did Halloween start in the US? What are Jack-o-lanterns, and what is the legend? Where do pumpkins originally come from? Do you know the answers to these questions when your kids ask? Learn these fun facts and be ready to tell your children all about Halloween!

Chic Tags for Your Bags

My son recently started a Mother's Morning Out two days a week and it's been wonderful. After a few weeks of him getting used to being there with other people besides mommy, he's loving the interaction with other toddlers, the nice walks outside in the baby buggy, and a new set of toys to play with. I'm loving the few quiet hours to myself each week so I can get a bit more work done, have coffee with friends or just clean the house!

Packing Dylan's bag for Mother's Morning Out has taken some getting used to. Everything has to be labeled with his name, and I mean everything - even the diapers! So for me, this means running around at the last minute with a Sharpie, neatly putting his name or initials on clothes, sippy cups, lunch containers, etc. When it came to the diaper bag, though, a Sharpie just wouldn't do. I wanted something with a little more pizzazz, and something that wasn't permanent. The Tot Tags from Braelyn Bounty Bug are perfect for the diaper bag. The tag itself boasts a cute, modern design. We have the kaleidoscope (there are 2 other designs to choose from), which, by itself, adds a hip and identifying factor to the bag. The ID card with your name, address and other personal information is a concealed area that flips out, keeping your pertinent information handy, yet discreet. The icing on the cake is the checklist on the back of the tag, listing those things you most want to remember - diapers, wipes, change of clothes, diaper rash cream, etc. - to give you a visual reminder each time you grab the bag and head out the door. We mothers understand how important a list can be, and having one attached to the diaper bag is a good way to stay on top of things.

Stock up on Tot Tags for yourself and your friends. Put one on all your diaper bags (especially the one your husband carries), your child's backpack, even in your purse. Because you can never have too many reminders.

O Yikes! It's Another Giveaway!

Hot on the heels of our last giveaway, this latest bag is pretty fab too! We reviewed the O Yikes! Slingback Bag several months ago, and loved it. Now, we're giving one away in in purple/grape.

This is not just another hip diaper bag, mind you. This one is fully stocked and ready to go ($145 value) with all the essentials, packed in a slingback style bag, perfect for active families on the go.

To enter the drawing, email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com and tell me one item that is included in the bag. Entries must be received by Sunday, October 21st at midnight. Winners will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

Prizey For Mama

We all love giveaways, don't we? I know I love giving things away on the site almost as much as I love being the winner of someone else's giveaway. But it's hard to keep up with all the fab things that are up for grabs...until now.

Prizey is a new site designed to keep you updated on all the hot giveaways going on around the blogosphere. Bookmark it and check back often because there's some pretty amazing stuff up for grabs and just finding out about it is half the battle. Good luck!

Twelve Is the Magic Number

For those of you familiar with the popular chain, Forever 21, behold their new offerings in the offshoot line called Twelve By Twelve. There are some great interpretations of basics, and then some real stunners here. But the prices are the real stars. This Cottswold Cocoon Sweatercoat is just $48, and surely looks like it costs far more! The items at Twelve By Twelve may easily fit into your budget but the look is a bit more sophisticated than you'd expect for the price.

Twelve By Twelve offers its full line online, and also in its own in-store boutiques located inside Forever 21 stores, with a flagship coming to LA this fall. While Forever 21 is targeted to juniors, Twelve By Twelve is geared more towards thirty-somethings. Cost-wise, prices run about 30% more than typical Forever 21 styles, but each piece is under $100. With such great style categories as "vintage couture", "the royals", "dandy dolls" and "mystical forest", you're sure to find something intriguing about this new line.

Silly Costumes for Your Baby

As my daughter and I surfed the web this evening to get ideas for a costume for our almost one-year old, we came across this silly site and just had to pass it along. Prank Place offers some, er, unique costume ideas. Bunting costume ideas include pizza, a banana, Junior Mints, a hot dog, a loaf of Wonder Bread, even a woopie cushion! So if you want a good laugh now, and great pictures to show at your child's wedding in several decades, check this one out!

Another Dante Beatrix Giveaway

This time we're giving away a cute little Thing One Envelope, perfect for packing toiletries or using as a diapers and wipes carrier, stashed in your handbag.

To be entered in the drawing, email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com before midnight, Friday, October 19, with the answer to this question: What's the name of the dog/muse at the Dante Beatrix studio?

If you've been lucky enough to be one of our winners in the past, kindly give others a chance. Pass this along to a friend so they can have a chance to be lucky too!

She's One Chic Mama

Jane Ann is the mother of a toddler son and knows a thing or two about looking great. With a simple yet elegant style, it's easy to go from the playground to an afternoon about town. Jane Ann's advice is "don't sweat the small stuff". When you're a mother, there's so much small stuff you can get caught up in and if you let yourself, you'll go nuts! Keep it simple, and keep your eye on the big picture. Just take a deep breath and relax. Chances are, you'll be a much better parent when you take a moment to reflect on all the things you're doing right!

Sale at Active Endeavors

The self-taught twin brothers behind the Golden Cast label have created a line of comfortable basics with an eye for color, shape and fabrication. This Long Sleeve Scoop Neck is the perfect piece to take you into fall. Available in both black and root (pictured), it's a steal at $34 (on sale from $114).

Paired with the Scoop Neck top, these black 5-Pocket Straight Legs from Edun, the label created by U2 frontman, Bono, and his wife, create a sleek silhouette. Only $59, down from $195, they're a real bargain as well.

Add a pair of ankle boots and you've got a great casual look, perfect for an afternoon of errands or a much needed moms' night out.

The Coupon Mom

Let's face it - who has time to rifle through the Sunday paper each week and clip coupons every week? I find myself doing it on occasion, but it seems I find few coupons that I can actually use. And when I do find coupons, I'll stash them away in my coupon file and promptly forget about them until they've expired. Oh, well.

Next time I go shopping, I'm going to check The Coupon Mom first. You must register to use her site, but it's free, and you'll have access to grocery and restaurant coupons, as well as offers and samples. I'll admit, there's a lot of unnecessary information to get through before you can get to the good stuff, and it appears that many of her grocery coupons are buy one, get one offers that you will likely be privy to if you have a frequent shopper rewards card. But take a peek, you just may find some useful coupons that will keep your grocery bill coming in under budget.

The Coupon Mom also has a database for restaurant coupons. You'll type in your zip code to find participating restaurants in your area. What you'll do in most cases is purchase a $25 gift certificate for $10, saving you $15. There are generally restrictions such as what your total food bill must be to use this coupon. I found a $10 gift certificate for only $3 for one of our favorite lunch spots, and the minimum was low, so I know I'll be checking back often.

The Coupon Mom also imparts her knowledge of using coupons and how to get a super deal in several ebooks you can download for free. You'll get her tips for strategies on coupon stacking, using rebates and more. You can also subscribe to your local newspaper at a discount from her site.

All in all, there's a lot of good information to be found at The Coupon Mom, you just may have to weed through a few offers to get to it. If you'd like to read more from The Coupon Mom, simply take a peek at GoodHousekeeping.com (or pick up an issue) and tune into Good Morning America, where she appears regularly with more of her money-saving tips.

Beauty That Gives Back

This month treat yourself to some lovely new products and help to raise funds for a cause. Sephora has initiated an effort to gather some wonderful products by brands we love, who have agreed to donate portions of sales from these products to help fund breast cancer research.

With seventeen great participating products to choose from, there's bound to be something you need, want or have been dying to try. Now's your chance to do it and make a difference at the same time!

When you spend $50 or more you'll get a free lipgloss ring ($30 value) - a stunning cocktail ring that flips open to reveal a glamorous pink shimmer gloss, perfect for touchups while out on the town. Use code RING at checkout.

Moving? Check This First

Planning a move can be overwhelming. There are so many things to think about, but one thing at the forefront of parents' minds are schools. Finding out which schools are the best, and then finding a home in the right school district can be challenging, to say the least. Now, with just a few clicks of the mouse, you can have all the information you need right at your fingertips.

Cyberhomes is a new online tool for parents that will give them information on schools and communities just by typing in an address. Cyberhomes provides accurate and reliable school data for all schools in the area, including average test scores, enrollment, and student/teacher ratio. You'll learn about neighborhoods, and other useful information like weather, the local economy, commute times, diversity and air/water quality. You can also find out about housing and property values, arming you with valuable information before you go house hunting.

So if you're planning a move, or simply entertaining the notion, check Cyberhomes first to get an overview of the area. You'll find useful, helpful information to assist you in making the right decision about homes and schools for your family.

Domestic Goddesses

A few weeks ago I was a participant in a local fashion show during an event called Sparkcon, which is a long weekend filled with activities, seminars and more to celebrate the creative class in our own city of Raleigh, NC. It's amazing the talent we have here, and even more amazing to be a part of it.

Some of you may recall that, in my other life, I am a designer (I've designed women's and children's clothing for the past 10+ years - now it's just aprons and bibs/burpcloths) and we just launched our new line called Mostess Creations. Our aprons were featured in the show, worn by some wonderfully sassy and saucy models (a few are even moms!). The models all had sleek 40's updo's and sashayed down the runway to the tunes of the Puppini Sisters, carrying martini glasses or trays of cupcakes. It was great fun! Take a peek at this article for more information on the show.

Dante Beatrix Winner

Congratulations to Jennifer H. for winning the very cool stroller bag from Dante Beatrix. Check back often because we have several other giveaways coming up soon!

Friday Blog Roundup

On Boston Mamas: Apples Juicy, Apples Round. Learn more about the season's abundant apples, including fab apple recipes for babies, toddlers, and adults!

On Clever Parents: Online Boutique of the Week - Liliputians NYC. Are you forever on a quest to find for unique clothing for your child to fit her free spirit? Do you find yourself drawn to vintage, whimsical and brightly colored looks in the finest fabrics? Are heirloom quality and craftsmanship an important part of what you look for in clothing? If so, Heather Flottmann, designer and owner of Liliputians NYC has a treat in store for you.

On Healthy Bump: Must Have List for Expectant Mothers. Being pregnant is a wonderful time. From the feeling of excitement when the doctor confirms the pregnancy or the little line turns the right color to the pleasure you bring to your families faces when you announce your great news...

On MomFinds: Rocket Boy Clock Giveaway. Win a whimsical Rocket Boy Clock from Timeworks Clocks Storytime Collection. Never be late again and spark your child’s imagination all at the same time.

On Moms' Buzz: Tips for a Healthier Halloween. For the majority of us, Halloween treats mostly mean giving out candy, but it does not have to be that way. You can actually give healthier alternatives, and kids will still love your treats!

Helping You Stay Sane

Keeping a family organized is enough to drive any mom to the loony bin - grocery lists, menu planners, to-do lists, calendars for the entire family - aaack! One mom had had enough, so she set to work and devised a line of organizational products to help streamline all the lists, to-do's and more.

One product from Dr. Jenny at LobotoME is the MomME Weekly Planner. This is a great tool for moms to keep all their lists in one place. I love it because I can just tear off a sheet and keep it in my purse, the car, on a clipboard at my desk, wherever I need it. Since I can take it with me, I can reference it while I'm picking my daughter up at school or in between errands. It's helped me to be a little more organized, and I find myself making all those phone calls I put off when I have a few minutes of free time in the car, because I have my planner with me. I like to tuck it into my spiral bound calendar, so I have both with me when I'm running around. Instead of feeling like a chicken with my head cut off, the MomME Weekly Planner helps keep my day running smoothly.

Use code "onechicmama" at checkout to save %10.

Modern Parenting

Come on dads, we love you, but your behavior simply baffles us sometimes. Why is it you decide you need to work overtime right after we have our first child? Or you withdraw when you see us suffering? Or play so rough with the kids? We'll never understand you. At least not until we've read The Modern Mom's Guide to Dad: Ten Secrets Your Husbands Won't Tell You by Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford.

Hogan and Jesse make a great team, with each offering us a different perspective in this "parenting relationship" book. Through his experience as a stay-at-home dad, and teaching workshops to new and expectant dads, Hilling shares some great stories to help us understand what makes a dad tick. Shortly after starting his dads' workshops, Hilling began to hear from moms who were confused by their husbands' behavior. Soon, he began conducting workshops for moms to help them understand how their husbands felt about fatherhood. Throughout the book, he shares insight into a dad's perspective on pregnancy, parenting and marriage.

Jesse Jayne Rutherford is a mother, as well as co-author of The Modern Mom's Guide to Dad. She writes a special section called "And a Mom Wants You to Know", offering a woman's take on what Hilling has to say. Often, she encourages us to step back and watch the bond between father and child take time to develop and grow. The two of them work well together, providing useful information to assist us in working with this person with whom we co-parent and share our lives.

Keep In Touch

In this day and age of technology, it's not unheard of for us to give our kids cell phones as young as age 5. We want our kids to be safe, and when we give them the means to communicate with us, it sure helps give us some peace of mind. That's why the folks at Firefly Mobile came up with the glowPhone, especially for kids ages 5 - 8. It's been around for a few years, but they've done some tweaking and upgraded it to appeal more to tech-savvy kids (my four year old is already a master at pbskids.org - soon, she'll be blogging too!) to keep it interesting, like age-appropriate games, a limited keypad with speed dialing for mom and dad, send and end keys, a 911 emergency button, and the ability to store up to 50 phone numbers. Perfect for little fingers.

For the older kids in your life, theres's the
flyPhone, the first ever phone created just for tweens (ages 8 - 12). It's a multi-media cell phone with a built in camera. The flyPhone features a unique electro-luminescent morphing keypad that automatically toggles between game controller, mp3 or video controller and number pad. New proprietary software, flyKicks, age appropriate video, songs, games, wallpaper, ringtones, and more are all available for downloading and make this phone more appealing to tweens than a standard cell phone. One feature parents will love about this phone is the PIN protected parental controls. They can limit incoming and outgoing calls to only those numbers stored in the phone book, preventing additional numbers from being added. Texting can also be restricted. This phone can be used with a pay-as-you-go plan to keep monthly bills from being sky-high.

Whatever the age of your children, chances are there's a cell phone out there that's right for them. We didn't have cell phones when I was younger, but when I look back at all the times it would have been helpful, I realize how reliant our generation has become on cell phones. It's a great way to keep in touch with your kids. Who knows - your teenager just may decide she wants to have a heart-to-heart at a time when it's not face-to-face.

The flyPhone and the glowPhone will both be available October 10 at Target, Toys R Us, Kmart and BarnesandNoble.com, as well as regional mobile phone operators.

Stroller Tote Giveaway

Let's face it - life is full of stuff. We all have enough stuff to carry around on our own, but throw a little one into the mix, and it can more than double! Who knew babies and kids would require so much just to leave the house? Dante Beatrix makes it easy to keep all your stuff organized, while looking stylish to boot. Their Stroller Tote is a very hip bag for the modern mom that dad wouldn't mind being caught with too! This versatile bag converts from a shoulder bag to a stroller bag with clips on the back. Like any good diaper bag, it's chock full of pockets with 2 side pockets big enough for bottles or sippy cups (or a bottle of water for you), a large back pocket, a cell phone pocket, 2 small inner pockets, and a zippered pocket to. Perfect for stashing all that stuff. And, of course, a changing pad is included.

Dante Beatrix has given us a chic Stroller Tote ($100 value) to give away in the Thing One style (I want this one!). To be entered, simply email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com with the answer to this question: Who is Dante's design partner? (Hint: it's not Beatrix). Deadline is Wednesday, October 10 at midnight. The winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

Click For the Cure

This month, with our increased awareness of breast cancer and all we can do to help find a cure, here's an easy way to help fund mammograms. The Breast Cancer Site simply asks you to click, and with each click, their sponsors will provide mammograms for uninsured women. Mammograms can help provide early detection for breast cancer, giving women a fighting chance to beat breast cancer.

After you click you can then shop for merchandise that shows your support for the fight against breast cancer, with merchants donating a percentage of sales towards mammograms. So click often, and spread the word!

Go Green for Halloween

With Halloween on it's way, most of us are bound to be stocking up and stashing away a few bags of candy here and there (we need a treat now and then, too!). This year, when you buy chocolate, stop and think about where it comes from. Sadly, many children are forced into labor on cocoa farms, and farmers are often not paid a living wage for harvesting cocoa. This is where fair trade can really make a difference. When products that you purchase are labeled as fair trade, it means that the products are raised and produced ethically, and the farmers are paid a fair price that will support their familiies.

We found some great fair trade candy out there that's just perfect for trick-or-treaters. Grab a few bags of Dark Chocolate Halloween Treats from Endangered Species. Each bag includes 24 individually wrapped squares (in brown and orange) of delicious milk chocolate, and 10% of profits go to support species, habitat and humanity. Plus, they are free of hydrogentated-fats, pesticides and growth-hormones.

Feeling a bit like a pirate, eh, matey? Then try these Fair Trade Gold Coins. The little pirates in your neighborhood never had it so good!

So this year, give out something that's going to give back. The kids may not know the difference, but you can feel good knowing you're making one!

Kitty Tote Winners

Thanks to all of you who entered our Kitty Tote giveaway - I wish I could give you all one. Unfortunately, we only have two to give away, and the lucky winners are Amber S. and Heather H. Congratulations, you two!

Stay tuned because we have several other great bags and products to give out. You don't want to miss these!

Friday Blog Roundup

On Babyfaces Photo of the Week: Remember how small they were?

On Bostonmamas: Stop on by to enter to win the vibrant 8" x 10" giclee reproduction "Blue House" - a contest in partnership with The Pepper Kids.

On Classy Mommy: We love this brand new Frog Backpack made by the North American Bear Company. Save 20% until 10/31/07 with code FROG.

On Clever Parents: Aeromax Dress-Up Gear
Lasts Through Halloween and Beyond.

On Coochicoos: Jack o'Lantern Design Inspirations. Need design inspirations for this year's pumpkin carving? Get ideas here.

On Healthy Bump: Healthy Bump: Slurp & Burp - Answer to Feeding in Public.

On MomFinds: Dream Nursery Guide.

vedaMAMA Giveaway

vedaPURE is a wonderful line of skincare products based on the ancient ayurvedic princips of balance and healthy. Formulated by one a pediatrician, it's gentle on the skin and on the earth. Yet this month, it shows it's strength by generating funds for breast cancer research with vedaMAMA. 25% of the sale of each jar of vedaMAMA will go to finding a cure for breast cancer. Your skin benefits too, with such decadent ingredients as shea butter. Formulated to pamper "hormonally challenged" skin, vedaMAMA is rich and indulgent, contains no petroleum-based ingredients, artificial dyes or fragrances. It's just bliss in a jar. A splurge at $50 a pop, treat yourself and feel good knowing you're helping someone else.

Now you have a chance to win a jar of your very own. One Chic Mama is giving away a jar to one lucky winner. Simply email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com by Saturday, Oct. 7, with the answer to this question: what is the name of vedaPure's line for men? The winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!